tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66168501426134470242018-03-05T09:19:19.635-08:00A Case of Wanderlustmindrunningwildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16601825523419720357noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6616850142613447024.post-1962471057246264562010-08-25T12:53:00.000-07:002010-08-25T12:53:46.377-07:00Once againGuess what I've been doing?<br />there's only one day less than a week until I return to Smith and I've been doing so many things.<br />1. I've been reading <span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;">so</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: line-through;">&nbsp;</span>&nbsp;many blogs! I think I'm going to start my own usual blog, not just this one for travel. Cause I'd kind of like to keep it for that. You can all follow me there!!<br />2. thinking about packing...then not doing it.<br />3. showing my Oxford pictures to everyone. and perhaps boring them in the process?<br />4. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: line-through;">blog stalking</span>&nbsp;blogging some more<br />5. making lots of oats<br />6.&nbsp;http://www.formspring.me/Owlgirl ---&gt; oh hey! ask away!<br />7. loving coffee. even black! &nbsp;<br /><br /><br /><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><img alt="imgres.jpg" src="webkit-fake-url://B0C038F4-5F8F-4E49-BFE0-ACA298399C4A/imgres.jpg" />&nbsp;</div><br />8. thinking. thinking. thinking.<br />9. deciding and re deciding my major. currently? English with a sociology minor. perhaps a third world development studies minor as well. which may shift the Soc to a double major.<br />10. waffling. the deciding kind, not the food kind. although I may make some of those tomorrow.<br />11. contemplating doing lots of ambitious things and then putting it off. this is not a good thing, by the way.<br />12. reading and walking at the same time. also not a good thing, but I just don't care.<br /><br />so it's been an&nbsp;<span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: line-through;">unproductive</span>&nbsp;interesting week since I've returned from Oxford. Its time for a new blog I think. One that will be able to contain ALL aspects of my life, not just the traveling parts (although I do think about traveling quite a bit).<br /><br /><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><img alt="imgres.jpg" height="341" src="webkit-fake-url://79763957-1B70-4B37-9F16-5BA56EA5FD13/imgres.jpg" width="400" />wrong side of the globe though. and I just spelled globe bloge. which shows</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">a: I'm dyslexic</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">or</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">b: I'm thinking about blogging too much....</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">that's a sign I should stop. perhaps.&nbsp;</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">until I become too unoccupied to post again! or perhaps until a new blog!</div>mindrunningwildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16601825523419720357noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6616850142613447024.post-11698533641400764612010-08-21T13:14:00.000-07:002010-08-21T13:14:49.403-07:00one week past?It's been one week since I've been home. I miss Oxford already and won't be wandering for awhile I bet. But this blog is called A Case of Wanderlust not a girl who wanders 24/7 which implies that I wish I were traveling when I'm not all the time. So it's okay for me to wish I were abroad and not be.<br />glad you understand, that was a bit confusing.<br />since thennnnn.....well Thom and I ate more ice cream bars.<br />this is the left over carcass....bones....of our feast.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/THAwiS9lr-I/AAAAAAAAAkc/sj7qhQLXNXw/s1600/DSCN3369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/THAwiS9lr-I/AAAAAAAAAkc/sj7qhQLXNXw/s320/DSCN3369.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/THAwpRp3u7I/AAAAAAAAAkk/58L-Aq87nTs/s1600/DSCN3400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/THAwpRp3u7I/AAAAAAAAAkk/58L-Aq87nTs/s200/DSCN3400.JPG" width="150" /></a>we went punting!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/THAwt1hIGlI/AAAAAAAAAks/kYPMOqmcpBA/s1600/DSCN3419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/THAwt1hIGlI/AAAAAAAAAks/kYPMOqmcpBA/s200/DSCN3419.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/THAxOIHuhWI/AAAAAAAAAk0/N5qgwS0ab28/s1600/DSCN3428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/THAxOIHuhWI/AAAAAAAAAk0/N5qgwS0ab28/s200/DSCN3428.JPG" width="150" /></a>Smithies and a Harold-belt<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/THAxVfTgtdI/AAAAAAAAAk8/kMIMuGx_Z9A/s1600/DSCN3435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/THAxVfTgtdI/AAAAAAAAAk8/kMIMuGx_Z9A/s200/DSCN3435.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/THAxZU2OYyI/AAAAAAAAAlE/ngHRKUH9l1g/s1600/DSCN3468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/THAxZU2OYyI/AAAAAAAAAlE/ngHRKUH9l1g/s320/DSCN3468.JPG" /></a>Bristol looks like Amsterdam!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/THAxdIDDKtI/AAAAAAAAAlM/cxfSPm7Zy1o/s1600/DSCN3479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/THAxdIDDKtI/AAAAAAAAAlM/cxfSPm7Zy1o/s200/DSCN3479.JPG" width="200" /></a>see?<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/THAxknNETQI/AAAAAAAAAlU/_x4QPiy5fA0/s1600/DSCN3482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/THAxknNETQI/AAAAAAAAAlU/_x4QPiy5fA0/s200/DSCN3482.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/THAxrG0cyTI/AAAAAAAAAlc/VJEkMEt2H-g/s1600/DSCN3498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/THAxrG0cyTI/AAAAAAAAAlc/VJEkMEt2H-g/s200/DSCN3498.JPG" width="150" /></a>they have comfy beds!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />and yummy breakfasts....which are better than Oxford's?<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/THAxvpTE3nI/AAAAAAAAAlk/hHst54znZTI/s1600/DSCN3511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/THAxvpTE3nI/AAAAAAAAAlk/hHst54znZTI/s320/DSCN3511.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/THAxzuOzsSI/AAAAAAAAAls/23sdGZdMnsQ/s1600/DSCN3515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/THAxzuOzsSI/AAAAAAAAAls/23sdGZdMnsQ/s320/DSCN3515.JPG" /></a>and Continental Airlines doesn't know what lunch is? (or is that supposed to be a pillow, cause they didn't give us one of those either...)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/THAx3gydKtI/AAAAAAAAAl0/T23ElzbHblQ/s1600/DSCN3519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/THAx3gydKtI/AAAAAAAAAl0/T23ElzbHblQ/s320/DSCN3519.JPG" /></a>I made an instant latte. quite tasty.&nbsp;<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/THAx7mKXPWI/AAAAAAAAAl8/FAfc-fXDzCQ/s1600/DSCN3521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/THAx7mKXPWI/AAAAAAAAAl8/FAfc-fXDzCQ/s320/DSCN3521.JPG" /></a>Where has Oatmeal been all my life??????</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/THAx7w1hdTI/AAAAAAAAAmE/KLlaz9AO7Mw/s1600/0816001140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/THAx7w1hdTI/AAAAAAAAAmE/KLlaz9AO7Mw/s200/0816001140.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/THAx8U-Q32I/AAAAAAAAAmM/46zlBbaclBk/s1600/0816001141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/THAx8U-Q32I/AAAAAAAAAmM/46zlBbaclBk/s320/0816001141.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I took apart my wallet finally. like, it's in pieces. seriously.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/THAx8mThtXI/AAAAAAAAAmU/-FqTkdvoG3E/s1600/0816001508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/THAx8mThtXI/AAAAAAAAAmU/-FqTkdvoG3E/s320/0816001508.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">mmmmmm Starbucks...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">so home has involved lots of coffee and oatmeal. And thoughts of the future.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Current thoughts and venture: future planning of majors and college plans.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">current decision: constantly pending....I just know I want to write.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and change the world.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">couldn't be too hard, could it?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>mindrunningwildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16601825523419720357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6616850142613447024.post-50828662634150275692010-08-10T03:48:00.000-07:002010-08-10T03:48:29.000-07:00Sheltered girl gets coffee: part twoConfession time. I <span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: line-through;">&nbsp;like</span>&nbsp;love coffee. I haven't figured out as of yet whether it's just the frothy milk on top, or if it's the cockle of your heart warming quality or the taste or the company or the act. I just know that I like it. Which explains why yesterday morning I found myself at coffee again. This time it was not a latte but a cappuccino, which was equally as delicious I must say.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEsdxuYvgI/AAAAAAAAAis/MkH_a-kTatQ/s1600/DSCN3173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEsdxuYvgI/AAAAAAAAAis/MkH_a-kTatQ/s320/DSCN3173.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEsfurMrXI/AAAAAAAAAi0/5Lwc-yTzavs/s1600/DSCN3174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEsfurMrXI/AAAAAAAAAi0/5Lwc-yTzavs/s320/DSCN3174.JPG" /></a>Thom's spartan Americano.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEsigSADMI/AAAAAAAAAi8/3AUEjhHmsVc/s1600/DSCN3175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEsigSADMI/AAAAAAAAAi8/3AUEjhHmsVc/s200/DSCN3175.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEskT-XpuI/AAAAAAAAAjE/NjI1egeVvmM/s1600/DSCN3176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEskT-XpuI/AAAAAAAAAjE/NjI1egeVvmM/s320/DSCN3176.JPG" /></a>second cup! (not the asian ubiquitous peace sign)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEsmVM-HKI/AAAAAAAAAjM/sV9ogFEkOV0/s1600/DSCN3177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEsmVM-HKI/AAAAAAAAAjM/sV9ogFEkOV0/s320/DSCN3177.JPG" /></a>a classy-artsy coffee shop photo&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Afterwards Thom and I went looking for which ice cream bars we wanted to have for our ice cream lunch part two tomorrow (look for reviews tomorrow!)<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEsoif1alI/AAAAAAAAAjU/iQ-rpkhRPBU/s1600/DSCN3178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEsoif1alI/AAAAAAAAAjU/iQ-rpkhRPBU/s320/DSCN3178.JPG" /></a>we found these. It's the same candy and they all say different things!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><img alt="6120603.jpg" src="webkit-fake-url://BA0E983C-FCC2-492C-91C8-0599B068F4AA/6120603.jpg" />I got these.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><img alt="aerobubbles2.jpg" src="webkit-fake-url://A25047AC-FF81-484E-A54E-8728B74D77FB/aerobubbles2.jpg" />only they were all chocolate, not half green. still tasted minty though.&nbsp;</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br /></div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEsvzGLGiI/AAAAAAAAAjc/XOcEYL-4zhQ/s1600/DSCN3180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEsvzGLGiI/AAAAAAAAAjc/XOcEYL-4zhQ/s320/DSCN3180.JPG" /></a>Maybe I'll just do this.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />AH I WANT THIS<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEsxakk3-I/AAAAAAAAAjk/1vniZP1jdag/s1600/DSCN3181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEsxakk3-I/AAAAAAAAAjk/1vniZP1jdag/s320/DSCN3181.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEsy0C3XTI/AAAAAAAAAjs/Bo_MTTaKFl0/s1600/DSCN3182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEsy0C3XTI/AAAAAAAAAjs/Bo_MTTaKFl0/s200/DSCN3182.JPG" width="150" /></a>the line for dinner, so I stand here...at 5<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEs0cfib7I/AAAAAAAAAj0/aMdutaUd4MA/s1600/DSCN3183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEs0cfib7I/AAAAAAAAAj0/aMdutaUd4MA/s200/DSCN3183.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the beginning.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After dinner, Matt and I ate the white chocolate polar bear. That didn't last long.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEs1FVxOiI/AAAAAAAAAj8/ezNqx_vZMZA/s1600/DSCN3184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEs1FVxOiI/AAAAAAAAAj8/ezNqx_vZMZA/s320/DSCN3184.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEs2ovDHbI/AAAAAAAAAkE/WdVNA0_xEdI/s1600/DSCN3185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEs2ovDHbI/AAAAAAAAAkE/WdVNA0_xEdI/s200/DSCN3185.JPG" width="150" /></a>before.....<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEs3BGJ1AI/AAAAAAAAAkM/OkxRYEFWSec/s1600/DSCN3186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEs3BGJ1AI/AAAAAAAAAkM/OkxRYEFWSec/s200/DSCN3186.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEs31VJXiI/AAAAAAAAAkU/cCkYfT-CQm0/s1600/DSCN3188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEs31VJXiI/AAAAAAAAAkU/cCkYfT-CQm0/s320/DSCN3188.JPG" /></a>making the cut....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">there was really no humane way to do it. He eventually crumbled....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">but tasted fine. a bit sweet, but fine!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">more sweets and ice cream to follow!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>mindrunningwildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16601825523419720357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6616850142613447024.post-12927191528831715702010-08-10T03:37:00.000-07:002010-08-10T03:37:12.567-07:00Solving all the world's mysteriesOkay guys. it really is the final count down here. It's tuesday and I leave Saturday morning. Scary and saddening, for sure.<br />On friday we trekked ourselves out to stonehenge, despite the 15P price on the tour bus that you had to take there. I'm not usually one for a) tour busses or b) exorbitant fees, but somehow I found myself right there with everyone else. This could have had something to do with the fact that everyone was going, and we're all friends. I enjoy their company but I'm sure you guys all know what friendship is about already.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEnvLkjC-I/AAAAAAAAAfU/99yrozTYQa4/s1600/DSCN2885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEnvLkjC-I/AAAAAAAAAfU/99yrozTYQa4/s200/DSCN2885.JPG" width="200" /></a>there were huge, delicious looking blackberries here outside the train, but then we began moving..<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEn0itDWhI/AAAAAAAAAfc/h4BIsDbk8GA/s1600/DSCN2886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEn0itDWhI/AAAAAAAAAfc/h4BIsDbk8GA/s320/DSCN2886.JPG" /></a>Salisbury!</div>We began in Salisbury which is another cute little english town I could totally live in.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEn2xt3VKI/AAAAAAAAAfk/4YDWGBcuqas/s1600/DSCN2887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEn2xt3VKI/AAAAAAAAAfk/4YDWGBcuqas/s200/DSCN2887.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEn69ykTAI/AAAAAAAAAfs/hXmyU6U88Ro/s1600/DSCN2888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEn69ykTAI/AAAAAAAAAfs/hXmyU6U88Ro/s320/DSCN2888.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEn_F48hwI/AAAAAAAAAf0/NOzuoZ7WVlE/s1600/DSCN2895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEn_F48hwI/AAAAAAAAAf0/NOzuoZ7WVlE/s200/DSCN2895.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEoDzhzzrI/AAAAAAAAAf8/CZt4SGk5iWQ/s1600/DSCN2896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEoDzhzzrI/AAAAAAAAAf8/CZt4SGk5iWQ/s320/DSCN2896.JPG" /></a>Salisbury Cathedral</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Did you know!! After WWII the Luftwaffe told the British that they were under strict instructions during the war <i>not</i>&nbsp;to bomb Salisbury Cathedral because they used it as a landmark when flying so they could bomb other important places? What a lucky save! It's beautiful inside.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEoHdREUJI/AAAAAAAAAgE/KFpEwLbc3eQ/s1600/DSCN2898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEoHdREUJI/AAAAAAAAAgE/KFpEwLbc3eQ/s200/DSCN2898.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEoNrN5TRI/AAAAAAAAAgM/6r6I8XaLhqI/s1600/DSCN2901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEoNrN5TRI/AAAAAAAAAgM/6r6I8XaLhqI/s320/DSCN2901.JPG" /></a>too bad, this was cute</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEoSatH8iI/AAAAAAAAAgU/tJj9eE2MO9A/s1600/DSCN2904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEoSatH8iI/AAAAAAAAAgU/tJj9eE2MO9A/s200/DSCN2904.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEoUfA296I/AAAAAAAAAgc/h50VL_2C45Q/s1600/DSCN2905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEoUfA296I/AAAAAAAAAgc/h50VL_2C45Q/s200/DSCN2905.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEodKBULlI/AAAAAAAAAgk/HWNC2a19ttI/s1600/DSCN2915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEodKBULlI/AAAAAAAAAgk/HWNC2a19ttI/s320/DSCN2915.JPG" /></a>This is the baptismal font, such as I've never seen. The following picture is the reflection directly on the surface of the stained glass at the far end of the cathedral.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEofqyUPiI/AAAAAAAAAgs/Tw-BH6T3bcs/s1600/DSCN2916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEofqyUPiI/AAAAAAAAAgs/Tw-BH6T3bcs/s400/DSCN2916.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEokD81jrI/AAAAAAAAAg0/CXkCKEcQjVc/s1600/DSCN2922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEokD81jrI/AAAAAAAAAg0/CXkCKEcQjVc/s200/DSCN2922.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEooB_9aLI/AAAAAAAAAg8/Tibg6xPqKGw/s1600/DSCN2931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEooB_9aLI/AAAAAAAAAg8/Tibg6xPqKGw/s320/DSCN2931.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />I love stained glass!!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEouj6izPI/AAAAAAAAAhE/P5lp5XWVIC0/s1600/DSCN2949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEouj6izPI/AAAAAAAAAhE/P5lp5XWVIC0/s320/DSCN2949.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEoyVq0rPI/AAAAAAAAAhM/WNMmZHNhHww/s1600/DSCN2951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEoyVq0rPI/AAAAAAAAAhM/WNMmZHNhHww/s320/DSCN2951.JPG" /></a>and vaulted ceilings with exposed beams!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEo4QzNfpI/AAAAAAAAAhU/SVHjNwJNEng/s1600/DSCN2963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEo4QzNfpI/AAAAAAAAAhU/SVHjNwJNEng/s320/DSCN2963.JPG" /></a>and cloisters!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">maybe I should live in a church....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEo6wRZX6I/AAAAAAAAAhc/KLGGx5Gt2xU/s1600/DSCN2965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEo6wRZX6I/AAAAAAAAAhc/KLGGx5Gt2xU/s320/DSCN2965.JPG" /></a>I wasn't supposed to take this. It's from the room where the Magna Carta was. I always manage to take illegal photographs though...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />White Chocolate Polar bear!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEo-rJBF2I/AAAAAAAAAhk/i85q-kHrzA4/s1600/DSCN2979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEo-rJBF2I/AAAAAAAAAhk/i85q-kHrzA4/s320/DSCN2979.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEpGOMYAhI/AAAAAAAAAhs/nzQvdPmJncI/s1600/DSCN2983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEpGOMYAhI/AAAAAAAAAhs/nzQvdPmJncI/s200/DSCN2983.JPG" width="200" /></a>foggyfog and burial mounds<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEpK5CMT2I/AAAAAAAAAh0/HsUBePZIPRY/s1600/DSCN3004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEpK5CMT2I/AAAAAAAAAh0/HsUBePZIPRY/s200/DSCN3004.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEpOKhnM1I/AAAAAAAAAh8/ZF71jZciHyo/s1600/DSCN3021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEpOKhnM1I/AAAAAAAAAh8/ZF71jZciHyo/s320/DSCN3021.JPG" /></a>The Group (some)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(l-r) Anne-Carroll, Veronica, Lindsay, Me, Matt, Dmitriy, Liz</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEpSFQVbGI/AAAAAAAAAiE/TVm61UURllo/s1600/DSCN3026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEpSFQVbGI/AAAAAAAAAiE/TVm61UURllo/s200/DSCN3026.JPG" width="200" /></a>The Henge! and me (WIND)<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEpVqZdT6I/AAAAAAAAAiM/YfkpqVCtons/s1600/DSCN3033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEpVqZdT6I/AAAAAAAAAiM/YfkpqVCtons/s200/DSCN3033.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEpYf8EUHI/AAAAAAAAAiU/aY0jPvRU6Y4/s1600/DSCN3035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEpYf8EUHI/AAAAAAAAAiU/aY0jPvRU6Y4/s320/DSCN3035.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm pretty sure I have a photograph of this from every angle!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEpdR5XY1I/AAAAAAAAAic/hdx4L6a0B1Q/s1600/DSCN3048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEpdR5XY1I/AAAAAAAAAic/hdx4L6a0B1Q/s320/DSCN3048.JPG" /></a>Smithies!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(l-r) Liz, Abby, Me</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEpgvFyAOI/AAAAAAAAAik/DJSMvKZu29E/s1600/DSCN3050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TGEpgvFyAOI/AAAAAAAAAik/DJSMvKZu29E/s320/DSCN3050.JPG" /></a>just foolin' around in the gift shop....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Over all what did I think? Well.....I expected Stonehenge to be a lot more remote, as in up in the moors with nothing around. Certainly not a car-park, but what did I expect, how would people get there? It's probably that book I read about the lovers at Stonehenge. and yes, I <span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;">am </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: line-through;">mortified</span>&nbsp;embarrassed for having read it : )</div>mindrunningwildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16601825523419720357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6616850142613447024.post-76698249673713933902010-08-07T07:28:00.000-07:002010-08-07T07:31:14.493-07:00Coffee and Ice Cream: REVIEWS!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">So this is a long story.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">One day the Oxford Summer Seminar students went to Blenheim Palace. Hannah and Thom wanted ice cream so Hannah leant Thom money to buy one to split. He wanted a "fab" but they were out. So he bought a Calippo which turned out to have pineapple in it. Pineapple makes Hannah's mouth itch. So Thom ate it and owed Hannah money.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">it was decided one day that Thom and Hannah would eat ice cream for lunch one day.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">that day was today.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Today was also the day Hannah had her first cup of coffee. Right now, her fingers are flying across the keyboard and she could go run five miles. The coffee was consumed also in the company of a Thom Gulino at Blackwell in Oxford. It was a grande sized Cafe Nero Latte.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Here we go....</span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1UzAZbb4I/AAAAAAAAAXU/yfVxiQsBQGM/s1600/DSCN3062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1UzAZbb4I/AAAAAAAAAXU/yfVxiQsBQGM/s320/DSCN3062.JPG" /></span></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1U0crQHmI/AAAAAAAAAXc/RbIK_2A-Y2c/s1600/DSCN3063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1U0crQHmI/AAAAAAAAAXc/RbIK_2A-Y2c/s200/DSCN3063.JPG" width="200" /></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">before....after</span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1U4vol1rI/AAAAAAAAAX0/lmtRCoBuibI/s1600/DSCN3067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1U4vol1rI/AAAAAAAAAX0/lmtRCoBuibI/s200/DSCN3067.JPG" width="200" /></span></span></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1U130UZNI/AAAAAAAAAXk/zrVN5xe4F_U/s1600/DSCN3065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1U130UZNI/AAAAAAAAAXk/zrVN5xe4F_U/s320/DSCN3065.JPG" /></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I think she likes it!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1U3l5gmkI/AAAAAAAAAXs/fam5qWhXpNI/s1600/DSCN3066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1U3l5gmkI/AAAAAAAAAXs/fam5qWhXpNI/s320/DSCN3066.JPG" /></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">yes!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I did not drink the entire thing with a straw.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Both coffees were enjoyed over jovial conversation pertaining to both party's childhoods.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">verdict: Hannah likes coffee but is unsure if a. it will ever replace tea b. if she would drink it daily</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">feeling: like she could run 5 miles</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Next Hannah and Thom went to fulfill their quest for ice cream. They decided to purchase five different ice cream bars and do a review panel. What a wonderful idea for a saturday afternoon!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1V0olowRI/AAAAAAAAAYE/dxIopLsWduc/s1600/DSCN3069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1V0olowRI/AAAAAAAAAYE/dxIopLsWduc/s200/DSCN3069.JPG" width="200" /></span></span></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1V4V7i-wI/AAAAAAAAAYU/yJXC3uN5n4Q/s1600/DSCN3071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1V4V7i-wI/AAAAAAAAAYU/yJXC3uN5n4Q/s200/DSCN3071.JPG" width="200" /></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Before we go...</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1V2UaDmII/AAAAAAAAAYM/tW0Banwhfmg/s1600/DSCN3070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1V2UaDmII/AAAAAAAAAYM/tW0Banwhfmg/s320/DSCN3070.JPG" /></span></span></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">(l-r) Bounty Bar, Flake Bar, Crunchie Bar, Maltesers Bar, Fab Bar</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">in the order we tried them....</span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1WTbe3NXI/AAAAAAAAAYc/N1O9Eq2puYQ/s1600/DSCN3082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1WTbe3NXI/AAAAAAAAAYc/N1O9Eq2puYQ/s320/DSCN3082.JPG" /></span></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">FAB BAR</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">What Nestle says: "Real Strawberry and Vanilla Flavoured Ice Lolly with Chocolate Flavoured Coating (6%) and Sugar Strands (5%)"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Review:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Looks</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Hannah: I think it looked a bit lame, especially because we were anticipating this one in particular after having been let down before. It was pretty much a fruit bar covered with a layer of gummy vanilla and then another layer of gummy chocolate and sprinkles. They really do mean it when they say 6% and 5%! The "hundreds and thousands" as the sprinkles are called were quite pretty. &nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1WVOaX1bI/AAAAAAAAAYk/YnvzDNlgRuE/s1600/DSCN3072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1WVOaX1bI/AAAAAAAAAYk/YnvzDNlgRuE/s320/DSCN3072.JPG" /></span></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Thom:&nbsp;To begin with appearances, there's no more aesthetically-pleasing iced treat than the fab bar. As to texture, the mix between smooth vanilla, crystallized iced strawberry and chocolate coating hits it right on the head. The pop of genius invention."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1WX1f-3RI/AAAAAAAAAY0/wN50wzV8bGU/s1600/DSCN3075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1WX1f-3RI/AAAAAAAAAY0/wN50wzV8bGU/s320/DSCN3075.JPG" /></span></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Taste</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Hannah: I think the Fab Bar was not the most delicious thing out there. As far as the strawberry part went, it was pretty much a generic fruit bar. The vanilla coating was a bit gummy and the chocolate was as well. My favorite part by far were the "hundreds and thousands" sprinkles which I ate all of : ) The above photo shows the bar from the side, showing the layers.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1WWhQnm8I/AAAAAAAAAYs/Sd46UEtgOYE/s1600/DSCN3074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1WWhQnm8I/AAAAAAAAAYs/Sd46UEtgOYE/s320/DSCN3074.JPG" /></span></span></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Thom:&nbsp;While the bar was originally intended for girls between the ages of 5-15 years, the bar has now become known as "the Man's Iced Lolly." Here the "real men wear pink" philosophy seems to carry over to "real men eat pink iced lollies." And let's not forget taste. Strawberry, vanilla, chocolate? It's the classic cosmopolitan ...though the lolly might benefit from a bit more on the chocolate end of things.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1Wapa6bhI/AAAAAAAAAZE/mv8EXCcPgZM/s1600/DSCN3078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1Wapa6bhI/AAAAAAAAAZE/mv8EXCcPgZM/s320/DSCN3078.JPG" /></span></span></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1WdRqCR6I/AAAAAAAAAZM/JIYBTJu4Z-w/s1600/DSCN3079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1WdRqCR6I/AAAAAAAAAZM/JIYBTJu4Z-w/s320/DSCN3079.JPG" /></a></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1WdRqCR6I/AAAAAAAAAZM/JIYBTJu4Z-w/s1600/DSCN3079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Would you buy it again?</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Hannah: I don't think so. I think I'd rather just get sprinkles.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Thom:&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"I'd make this my consistent choice of treat on warm days...being certain to remind people that "real men eat pink iced lollies."</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <br /><div class="p_other pic_padding" style="line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 4px; margin-right: 4px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 2px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1WdRqCR6I/AAAAAAAAAZM/JIYBTJu4Z-w/s1600/DSCN3079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Summary: We thought this bar was okay. I think we had different ideas of how it tasted. I'm sure Thom liked it more than I did; he had bought two and finished this one. I ate the sprinkles; always a sprinkles fan!&nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">MALTESERS BAR</span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1as6PqUYI/AAAAAAAAAZU/K6UzGB4MBbM/s1600/DSCN3081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1as6PqUYI/AAAAAAAAAZU/K6UzGB4MBbM/s320/DSCN3081.JPG" /></span></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Mars says: Dairy ice cream with crisp, light honeycombed, cocoa coated centers covered with a coating containin</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">g milk chocolate.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">(we're pretty sure this alliteration is intentional)</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Review:</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1avKInpgI/AAAAAAAAAZc/7-_hPAFdyzE/s1600/DSCN3083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1avKInpgI/AAAAAAAAAZc/7-_hPAFdyzE/s320/DSCN3083.JPG" /></span></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Looks</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Hannah: I was most attracted to this bar because of the bubble-like shape. It reminded me of something one might buy at Disneyland. As for it's unwrapped splendour, it was indeed quite bubble-shaped and completely covered with a chocolate covering. &nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1azL4GrII/AAAAAAAAAZk/A0uo8dAERu4/s1600/DSCN3084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1azL4GrII/AAAAAAAAAZk/A0uo8dAERu4/s320/DSCN3084.JPG" /></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">As you can see, I'm quite intrigued by the thought of eating something so bubbly!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Thom:&nbsp;As appearances go, the vaguely snowman-shaped aesthetic is both unique and pleasing. And one can’t go far-wrong with the neat compact appearance lent by the hard chocolate shell.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Taste</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Hannah: I thought this tasted like a generic ice cream bar. My favorite part was the "light honeycombed, cocoa coated centres". The outer covering for me was a bit too sweet, as chocolate coating tends to be and the ice cream in the middle was generically soft ice cream bar ice cream. I like the taste of the little balls and would rather had a bowl of those than the ice cream bar I think. Without them and it's shape, it would have been quite regular.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1a1CfKaZI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/WlfXJAcy_U4/s1600/DSCN3087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1a1CfKaZI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/WlfXJAcy_U4/s200/DSCN3087.JPG" width="200" /></span></span></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1a0fB3bKI/AAAAAAAAAZs/dG97fJ65Mjc/s1600/DSCN3085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1a0fB3bKI/AAAAAAAAAZs/dG97fJ65Mjc/s320/DSCN3085.JPG" /></span></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1a7K0F3-I/AAAAAAAAAaM/-2dxHJL-Ftc/s1600/DSCN3099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1a7K0F3-I/AAAAAAAAAaM/-2dxHJL-Ftc/s320/DSCN3099.JPG" /></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The inside!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Thom:&nbsp;While I love chocolate, the combination of milk-chocolate shell, the comparatively sweet vanilla ice cream inside, and the malt chocolate candy pieces resulted in a bit of an excess sweetness. This in mind, the treat might serve well enough as an after-meal dessert.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1a3UH3sII/AAAAAAAAAZ8/REAY3RGLmpQ/s1600/DSCN3091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1a3UH3sII/AAAAAAAAAZ8/REAY3RGLmpQ/s320/DSCN3091.JPG" /></span></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1a5FLsKnI/AAAAAAAAAaE/-OYx07TLV_M/s1600/DSCN3095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1a5FLsKnI/AAAAAAAAAaE/-OYx07TLV_M/s320/DSCN3095.JPG" /></span></span></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Would you buy it again?&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Hannah: I don't know. I might if I was in a pinch. (but who chooses ice cream in a pinch?) The inside, like I said, was the only redeemable part for me.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Thom:&nbsp;While I would purchase the malteasers ice cream again, it would not be a first choice on a frequent basis. Better shop around a bit before using this treat as a fallback</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Summary: We thought this one would be completely generic without the honeycomb flavored cocoa crispie centres or whatever they were. Thom ate most of the outer coating, while I ate most of the inside. This was the only bar we did not entirely eat.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Bounty Bar</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Mars says: "Coconut dairy ice cream covered with a coating containing milk chocolate"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1hG_1tp5I/AAAAAAAAAaU/qEdxVtY_5Cc/s1600/DSCN3100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1hG_1tp5I/AAAAAAAAAaU/qEdxVtY_5Cc/s320/DSCN3100.JPG" /></span></span></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Review:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Looks</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Hannah: This bar looked completely normal. The coating was that ubiquitous milk chocolate coating that seems to obscure the insides of each ice cream bar. I was unsure what I would find but it sure smelled good. I rather like coconut.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1hPEHN6aI/AAAAAAAAAas/RM7-5HN3Z38/s1600/DSCN3104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1hPEHN6aI/AAAAAAAAAas/RM7-5HN3Z38/s200/DSCN3104.JPG" width="150" /></span></span></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1hJ4BG1uI/AAAAAAAAAac/ARtvsjmb1h4/s1600/DSCN3102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1hJ4BG1uI/AAAAAAAAAac/ARtvsjmb1h4/s320/DSCN3102.JPG" /></span></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Thom:&nbsp;The appearance of the Bounty bar is simple and smooth—comforting to the eye, one might venture to say. It’s difficult to go wrong with the basic look, though this one won’t pack as much distinctive aesthetic punch as the fab.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1haRXJ67I/AAAAAAAAAbU/UWbrR2_NmDQ/s1600/DSCN3112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1haRXJ67I/AAAAAAAAAbU/UWbrR2_NmDQ/s320/DSCN3112.JPG" /></span></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Taste:&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Hannah: I loved this one. While the outside tasted as one might expect, having been previously exposed to such a milky coating, the middle was creamy ice cream with little flecks of coconut in it. I loved the creamy coconut taste and the little bits of coconut, although it was a bit sweet.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1hQvdVBwI/AAAAAAAAAa0/tA6jBxC_yEQ/s1600/DSCN3105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1hQvdVBwI/AAAAAAAAAa0/tA6jBxC_yEQ/s200/DSCN3105.JPG" width="200" /></span></span></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1hTEgEirI/AAAAAAAAAa8/GKbxZ9aylJw/s1600/DSCN3106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1hTEgEirI/AAAAAAAAAa8/GKbxZ9aylJw/s200/DSCN3106.JPG" width="200" /></span></span></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1hWdfqt3I/AAAAAAAAAbE/F7XzoFDkLk0/s1600/DSCN3109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1hWdfqt3I/AAAAAAAAAbE/F7XzoFDkLk0/s200/DSCN3109.JPG" width="200" /></span></span></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1hZDayD9I/AAAAAAAAAbM/_54YQxoSfuU/s1600/DSCN3110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1hZDayD9I/AAAAAAAAAbM/_54YQxoSfuU/s320/DSCN3110.JPG" /></span></span></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">this is a testament to how much I like it.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Thom: For those who enjoy Mounds chocolate bars or Almond Joy’s this treat will be the one for you. Rich and sweet, it managed not to overdo it on the sweetness end of things. A good bit of unique coconut and chocolate pleasure.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1haRXJ67I/AAAAAAAAAbU/UWbrR2_NmDQ/s1600/DSCN3112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1haRXJ67I/AAAAAAAAAbU/UWbrR2_NmDQ/s200/DSCN3112.JPG" width="200" /></span></span></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1hcjiaBdI/AAAAAAAAAbc/SRRzIuzGYM4/s1600/DSCN3115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1hcjiaBdI/AAAAAAAAAbc/SRRzIuzGYM4/s320/DSCN3115.JPG" /></span></span></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1he-4vHJI/AAAAAAAAAbk/9MwEfW1C_8Y/s1600/DSCN3116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1he-4vHJI/AAAAAAAAAbk/9MwEfW1C_8Y/s320/DSCN3116.JPG" /></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I think he likes it too!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Would you buy it again?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Hannah: oh yes!! especially if they ever decreased the sugar, or made it without the chocolate covering. OR if they covered it with a more bitter dark chocolate coating. oh yes.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Thom:&nbsp;While the fab bar would remain a first choice, I wouldn’t hesitate to pick up a Bounty again for a more chocolaty treat.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Summary: We liked this bar. Thom ate the coating and I finished the majority of the inside. I love coconut ice cream.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Flake Bar</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1kJVsJoUI/AAAAAAAAAbs/9aWXDzua1fk/s1600/DSCN3117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1kJVsJoUI/AAAAAAAAAbs/9aWXDzua1fk/s320/DSCN3117.JPG" /></span></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Cadbury says: "crisp biscuit cone filled with vanilla flavour ice cream and a milk chocolate flake bar"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Review</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Looks:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Hannah: I thought this looked pretty. I've always wondered what a flake bar was and this was a good way to find out. It's basically a swirled chocolate bar. I like the aerated chocolate they have here and this one is done in flakey layers as opposed to bubbles, which is a nice change. Very aesthetically pleasing. The cone wasn't a biscuit. It was normal cone.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1kLIntdkI/AAAAAAAAAb0/MoaT9YoyUQw/s1600/DSCN3118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1kLIntdkI/AAAAAAAAAb0/MoaT9YoyUQw/s320/DSCN3118.JPG" /></span></span></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I was most fond of the little cup-shaped plastic covering to protect the flake bar sticking out of the top.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Thom:&nbsp;With the cone and chocolate-toped vanilla ice cream, and with the chocolate flake bar in the top, the Flake has a nearly classy appearance. In terms of aesthetic it manages to be both basic and drawing.&nbsp;</span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1k5oxqznI/AAAAAAAAAcU/7yr6YpSrgH8/s1600/DSCN3125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1k5oxqznI/AAAAAAAAAcU/7yr6YpSrgH8/s320/DSCN3125.JPG" /></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Thom with the flake bar.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Taste</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Hannah: I thought this one was interesting. The flake bar was basically a milk chocolate bar with an interesting texture, which did appeal to me. A bit sweet though. As for the ice cream, it was just vanilla ice cream. I was a bit confused as to the big to-do about this cone because it was basically a vanilla cone with a flake bar stuck in the top. I could have done that myself. The vanilla ice cream was a bit sweet and I had Thom eat most of it until we got to the cone. I finished that cause I like the end where the chocolate fills the cone : )</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1kUxHoQQI/AAAAAAAAAb8/99i8fAd5BfY/s1600/DSCN3119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1kUxHoQQI/AAAAAAAAAb8/99i8fAd5BfY/s320/DSCN3119.JPG" /></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The cup thing</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1ku0S5WBI/AAAAAAAAAcE/1npyF9hW5_I/s1600/DSCN3121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1ku0S5WBI/AAAAAAAAAcE/1npyF9hW5_I/s200/DSCN3121.JPG" width="200" /></span></span></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1k0QfuSEI/AAAAAAAAAcM/l6fdy69Ipx0/s1600/DSCN3123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1k0QfuSEI/AAAAAAAAAcM/l6fdy69Ipx0/s200/DSCN3123.JPG" width="200" /></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">too sweet?</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Thom:&nbsp;Tasty! However, the vanilla ice cream seems to a bit sweeter than one might expect. This facet is thankfully balanced by the chewy cone. Overall, quite nice, though mildly weary towards the end</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Would you buy it again?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Hannah: no, I don't think so. I might as well just buy a flake bar and get some vanilla ice cream. I was not impressed with this. The flake should have been </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">in </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">the ice cream itself.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Thom:&nbsp;While craving a good-old-fashion ice cream cone but unable to obtain one, the Flake would be the way to go. Still, it won’t hold up the Fab on an average day.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1lByMbKUI/AAAAAAAAAcc/1AX5PZjz7HU/s1600/DSCN3130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1lByMbKUI/AAAAAAAAAcc/1AX5PZjz7HU/s200/DSCN3130.JPG" width="150" /></span></span></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1lK8siUzI/AAAAAAAAAck/8Z90kVeijiY/s1600/DSCN3133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1lK8siUzI/AAAAAAAAAck/8Z90kVeijiY/s200/DSCN3133.JPG" width="150" /></span></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1lNgL3mrI/AAAAAAAAAcs/T3k6MN4bTaU/s1600/DSCN3135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1lNgL3mrI/AAAAAAAAAcs/T3k6MN4bTaU/s200/DSCN3135.JPG" width="200" /></span></span></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1lPp1iI0I/AAAAAAAAAc0/HLgbk1FNcKs/s1600/DSCN3137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1lPp1iI0I/AAAAAAAAAc0/HLgbk1FNcKs/s200/DSCN3137.JPG" width="200" /></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">meh blurrrr</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Summary: I liked the cone part. We weren't impressed, overall.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1ogmKOKVI/AAAAAAAAAc8/cE-UPVJeLvw/s1600/DSCN3138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1ogmKOKVI/AAAAAAAAAc8/cE-UPVJeLvw/s320/DSCN3138.JPG" /></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">LAST ONE!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Crunchie Blast</span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1olncx8oI/AAAAAAAAAdE/lGH1IPNzFUg/s1600/DSCN3139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1olncx8oI/AAAAAAAAAdE/lGH1IPNzFUg/s320/DSCN3139.JPG" /></span></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Cadbury says: "Honeycombed flavoured ice cream covered in milk chocolate with popping candy"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Review</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Looks:&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Hannah: I thought this one looked quite normal from the outside. It had that milk chocolate covering again. This covering was dotted with little bubble-thing-lumps that I can only imagine were the popping candies? Unless those were to be in the ice cream itself....I had no idea what this was going to look like on the inside. Pretty lame name, if I do say so myself.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1ooAhJ5cI/AAAAAAAAAdM/6CuilroYdE0/s1600/DSCN3142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1ooAhJ5cI/AAAAAAAAAdM/6CuilroYdE0/s200/DSCN3142.JPG" width="200" /></span></span></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1orHiI4LI/AAAAAAAAAdU/mldFxDTHwSI/s1600/DSCN3143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1orHiI4LI/AAAAAAAAAdU/mldFxDTHwSI/s200/DSCN3143.JPG" width="200" /></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"omg! it's yellow!"</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1otYYVoaI/AAAAAAAAAdc/DDsW8y7xriU/s1600/DSCN3144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1otYYVoaI/AAAAAAAAAdc/DDsW8y7xriU/s320/DSCN3144.JPG" /></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">okay....tasting....</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1ovKZEjbI/AAAAAAAAAdk/LbvKQuvFBu8/s1600/DSCN3145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1ovKZEjbI/AAAAAAAAAdk/LbvKQuvFBu8/s320/DSCN3145.JPG" /></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Listening to the popping candy!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1oxtgl0eI/AAAAAAAAAds/Q_A0Je0CiX4/s1600/DSCN3146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1oxtgl0eI/AAAAAAAAAds/Q_A0Je0CiX4/s320/DSCN3146.JPG" /></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I hear it!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1ozjLAk2I/AAAAAAAAAd0/tFZz-1iy3tA/s1600/DSCN3148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1ozjLAk2I/AAAAAAAAAd0/tFZz-1iy3tA/s320/DSCN3148.JPG" /></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">HOLY CRAP IT'S HONEY-COLOURED!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Thom:&nbsp;Unfortunately the lumpy/crispy quality in candy or deserts has never appealed to me. This desert looses out on the looks and name categories (One might expect a candy corporation to devise a more creative name than “Crunchie Blast.”)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Taste:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Hannah: I liked this one. The usually too sugary milk chocolate covering was nicely balanced by the popping candy. I was distracted from it's usually gack-ish taste by the pleasant popping occurring in my mouth. The honeycombed flavoured ice cream was pleasant but eventually got too sweet. I was pleased by the honey-colour, however.&nbsp;</span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1o2kmjTwI/AAAAAAAAAd8/fsChjszAijQ/s1600/DSCN3153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1o2kmjTwI/AAAAAAAAAd8/fsChjszAijQ/s320/DSCN3153.JPG" /></span></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Thom:&nbsp;The chocolate covering and popping candy is what keeps this ice cream bar afloat. Not only is the chocolate of relatively good quality, but the fact that the popping sets in just as the last bit of chocolate dissolves accomplishes a very nice effect. However, the ice cream itself (honeycomb flavoured) looses the taste test. Too sweet and strange without being pleasing, the experimental nature of this ice cream leaves one wanting.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1o4CntfcI/AAAAAAAAAeE/Ku78OGtWkc4/s1600/DSCN3155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1o4CntfcI/AAAAAAAAAeE/Ku78OGtWkc4/s320/DSCN3155.JPG" /></span></span></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1o6jir1zI/AAAAAAAAAeM/-HxSYxKZx-A/s1600/DSCN3159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1o6jir1zI/AAAAAAAAAeM/-HxSYxKZx-A/s320/DSCN3159.JPG" /></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">hm.....</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Would you buy it again?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Hannah: I might. As always, I'm not a fan of the outer covering, although with this product, it was made bearable by the popping candies. The honeycombed ice cream, while delightful both aesthetically and palate-wise initially, quickly became too sweet.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Thom:&nbsp;Sadly, I’d have to pass this one by in the future. While its novelty made it a pleasing enough one-time experience, there are more well-rounded options in the freezer.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Summary: I think we had conflicting views that converged. The more I ate of this bar, the less I liked it. We had a good time with the covering, or rather the popping candies. The inside, after the shock-factor, was little more than a sweet treat.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">SUMMARY SUMMARY</span></b><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1sKuy9S8I/AAAAAAAAAeU/V9pylLtVR6c/s1600/DSCN3160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1sKuy9S8I/AAAAAAAAAeU/V9pylLtVR6c/s200/DSCN3160.JPG" width="200" /></span></span></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1sfbFwUnI/AAAAAAAAAfE/6nK_g0YAue4/s1600/DSCN3171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1sfbFwUnI/AAAAAAAAAfE/6nK_g0YAue4/s200/DSCN3171.JPG" width="150" /></span></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Thom loved the fab best, which is funny because I did not. He bought two and finished this one.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1sNLDftII/AAAAAAAAAec/Dy3tnppNcLs/s1600/DSCN3161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1sNLDftII/AAAAAAAAAec/Dy3tnppNcLs/s200/DSCN3161.JPG" width="200" /></span></span></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1sPSqi45I/AAAAAAAAAek/3PnCjVzBEIc/s1600/DSCN3162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1sPSqi45I/AAAAAAAAAek/3PnCjVzBEIc/s200/DSCN3162.JPG" width="200" /></span></span></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I chose to finish the bounty bar. I loved the coconut flavor!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">although I </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">totally </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">don't remember double-fisting those two!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I gave the outer covering of the bounty to Thom, who seemed to be able to stomach it's sweetness.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1sUdXRwTI/AAAAAAAAAe0/gGyX83cELIs/s1600/DSCN3164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1sUdXRwTI/AAAAAAAAAe0/gGyX83cELIs/s320/DSCN3164.JPG" /></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">YUM</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1sbC0nE2I/AAAAAAAAAe8/ePEoXldyias/s1600/DSCN3169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1sbC0nE2I/AAAAAAAAAe8/ePEoXldyias/s320/DSCN3169.JPG" /></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">almost gone... : (</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1sgGIGgeI/AAAAAAAAAfM/M08P2Gut5sU/s1600/DSCN3170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TF1sgGIGgeI/AAAAAAAAAfM/M08P2Gut5sU/s320/DSCN3170.JPG" /></span></span></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">THE END!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>mindrunningwildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16601825523419720357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6616850142613447024.post-60742398474741892010-08-05T11:52:00.000-07:002010-08-05T11:52:22.714-07:00One of everythingWell. I only have one of each kind of day left folks. One of each day until I leave for home. That's quite a thought. How fast time has gone!<br />Today I went out for lunch with my friend and then we went to the antiques market. I don't think I have photographs from that, but perhaps next week I'll take some....<br />I went to the Ashmolean again today with my History.... (etc) class. I've been but today I actually finished off the museum, which was AMAZING. I could definitely see myself spending a considerable amount of time there. &nbsp;Here are some more things that I saw today:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFsFP0pYn0I/AAAAAAAAATc/ZggrrvraHnU/s1600/DSCN2822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFsFP0pYn0I/AAAAAAAAATc/ZggrrvraHnU/s320/DSCN2822.JPG" /></a>This is a viking sword! I thought Ethan would appreciate this : )</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFsFRWlFQvI/AAAAAAAAATk/xTpei1EzKTs/s1600/DSCN2823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFsFRWlFQvI/AAAAAAAAATk/xTpei1EzKTs/s200/DSCN2823.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFsFUnrR8lI/AAAAAAAAAT0/c3eR3HevnJk/s1600/DSCN2825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFsFUnrR8lI/AAAAAAAAAT0/c3eR3HevnJk/s200/DSCN2825.JPG" width="200" /></a>This is a runic stone! and a close up. pretty neat, since we'd been studying about how people used to be pagans and write in runes (see my previous post "Teacher, I need you")</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFsFTEs8P2I/AAAAAAAAATs/_ardj_nfGdM/s1600/DSCN2824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFsFTEs8P2I/AAAAAAAAATs/_ardj_nfGdM/s320/DSCN2824.JPG" /></a>Kind&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Alfred's something....said to perhaps be the head on a pointer? He was the king responsible for helping everyone learn to read, or proclaiming that everyone should learn anyways.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />I'm a sucker for Islamic art! <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFsFYXdmWtI/AAAAAAAAAUM/e_KivHaBfmg/s1600/DSCN2830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFsFYXdmWtI/AAAAAAAAAUM/e_KivHaBfmg/s320/DSCN2830.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFsFZ4yeHWI/AAAAAAAAAUU/TAVmd8Jzb6A/s1600/DSCN2835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFsFZ4yeHWI/AAAAAAAAAUU/TAVmd8Jzb6A/s320/DSCN2835.JPG" /></a>The first Piggy Bank was from Indonesia!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFsHJ46o1gI/AAAAAAAAAVc/OtXxMR7Vw5A/s1600/DSCN2836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFsHJ46o1gI/AAAAAAAAAVc/OtXxMR7Vw5A/s320/DSCN2836.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">in case you can't read that it says: "Terracotta piggy bank from Java, Indonesia, 1500-1600. In Indonesia boars and pigs were symbols of power and plenty and so became associated with saving money."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFsFcIcvvLI/AAAAAAAAAUc/vAUvPmPOGzs/s1600/DSCN2837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFsFcIcvvLI/AAAAAAAAAUc/vAUvPmPOGzs/s200/DSCN2837.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFsFdrzVeRI/AAAAAAAAAUk/M84OaRTIHG4/s1600/DSCN2838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFsFdrzVeRI/AAAAAAAAAUk/M84OaRTIHG4/s200/DSCN2838.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">gruesome and nice! The painting of the woman is called "The Immaculate Conception"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hence the babies?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFsFoRZrBUI/AAAAAAAAAVE/rhLWvJDycB8/s1600/DSCN2852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFsFoRZrBUI/AAAAAAAAAVE/rhLWvJDycB8/s320/DSCN2852.JPG" /></a>beautiful....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFsFrLVSToI/AAAAAAAAAVM/9fK8RsL2Pw8/s1600/DSCN2860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFsFrLVSToI/AAAAAAAAAVM/9fK8RsL2Pw8/s320/DSCN2860.JPG" /></a>I thought Dad would like these!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and now for something completely different....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~~~~~~~</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFsFxikHLwI/AAAAAAAAAVU/Y7D944f0VbQ/s1600/DSCN2872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFsFxikHLwI/AAAAAAAAAVU/Y7D944f0VbQ/s320/DSCN2872.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">this is the kind of hand dryer that is here in many places. It was in Nando's, the restaurant we went to today. You wash your hands then stick them in this and draw them out slowly. What a jet stream!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tomorrow we're off to Salisbury and Stonehenge. We shall see how close I actually get since it costs 11P to take the bus there and then another 17.50P to actually see the darn thing. I'm pretty easy to satisfy and pretty reluctant to spend money so I probably will be content at not so close.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">until I meet the Druids!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>mindrunningwildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16601825523419720357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6616850142613447024.post-71578844081990825932010-08-04T06:41:00.000-07:002010-08-04T06:41:09.787-07:00Harry Potter was here (and I was too!)Not yet, not yet. I will have a week and a half. Still, I can't believe my time here has gone by so fast!!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlpQLy5P3I/AAAAAAAAAP0/avhjsTLgIAU/s1600/DSCN2724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlpQLy5P3I/AAAAAAAAAP0/avhjsTLgIAU/s200/DSCN2724.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlpSsFLSVI/AAAAAAAAAP8/a_X5QIxnlao/s1600/DSCN2725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlpSsFLSVI/AAAAAAAAAP8/a_X5QIxnlao/s200/DSCN2725.JPG" width="200" /></a>Christ Church!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlpVdrzzBI/AAAAAAAAAQE/StHkBkRRX4A/s1600/DSCN2726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlpVdrzzBI/AAAAAAAAAQE/StHkBkRRX4A/s320/DSCN2726.JPG" /></a>I call this one "ruined by spanish tour groups"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlpYednprI/AAAAAAAAAQM/p_FAqIn2Dl8/s1600/DSCN2730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlpYednprI/AAAAAAAAAQM/p_FAqIn2Dl8/s200/DSCN2730.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlpc903GRI/AAAAAAAAAQU/1tTSF0qo0c4/s1600/DSCN2731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlpc903GRI/AAAAAAAAAQU/1tTSF0qo0c4/s200/DSCN2731.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlpfDDc2OI/AAAAAAAAAQc/HUAzcDkaXYk/s1600/DSCN2733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlpfDDc2OI/AAAAAAAAAQc/HUAzcDkaXYk/s200/DSCN2733.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlpk_xff1I/AAAAAAAAAQk/jfvKbkUvQRE/s1600/DSCN2740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlpk_xff1I/AAAAAAAAAQk/jfvKbkUvQRE/s320/DSCN2740.JPG" /></a>This is the very staircase the first years went up in Harry Potter!! Here I am standing on it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlprtmaViI/AAAAAAAAAQs/Gq4eewevyxg/s1600/DSCN2742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlprtmaViI/AAAAAAAAAQs/Gq4eewevyxg/s320/DSCN2742.JPG" /></a>The ceiling of the Great Hall from HP? I'm sure they did some CGI because this looked <i>nothing</i>&nbsp;like it....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlpyJ3rXZI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/ttXc5kkJ76w/s1600/DSCN2749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlpyJ3rXZI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/ttXc5kkJ76w/s200/DSCN2749.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlp090lU1I/AAAAAAAAAQ8/qgHiDI-JOWg/s1600/DSCN2754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlp090lU1I/AAAAAAAAAQ8/qgHiDI-JOWg/s200/DSCN2754.JPG" width="200" /></a>they step up to their high table!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlp3QEhg4I/AAAAAAAAARE/h5kwI_mOdKY/s1600/DSCN2756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlp3QEhg4I/AAAAAAAAARE/h5kwI_mOdKY/s200/DSCN2756.JPG" width="200" /></a>So much for "keep off the grass" ; I imagine this place gets considerable milage based on it's Harry Potter connections!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlp7CeVwWI/AAAAAAAAARM/BDUqPTsY-pw/s1600/DSCN2758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlp7CeVwWI/AAAAAAAAARM/BDUqPTsY-pw/s200/DSCN2758.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlp_YN24KI/AAAAAAAAARU/Gr69Q10ZqXY/s1600/DSCN2765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlp_YN24KI/AAAAAAAAARU/Gr69Q10ZqXY/s200/DSCN2765.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlqCcNhyLI/AAAAAAAAARc/HjoetF212UQ/s1600/DSCN2774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlqCcNhyLI/AAAAAAAAARc/HjoetF212UQ/s320/DSCN2774.JPG" width="320" /></a>Beautiful Christ Church Chapel<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlqFhdUJnI/AAAAAAAAARk/j_raaqWsr0I/s1600/DSCN2778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlqFhdUJnI/AAAAAAAAARk/j_raaqWsr0I/s320/DSCN2778.JPG" /></a>Look Familiar?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">yes, this is where HP's Infirmary was filmed! (inside Radcliffe Seminary at the Bodlean)<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlqHSkSxMI/AAAAAAAAARs/UsF-rVyV08c/s1600/DSCN2779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlqHSkSxMI/AAAAAAAAARs/UsF-rVyV08c/s320/DSCN2779.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />These guys just reminded me of that tube at the bank!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlqNF57z0I/AAAAAAAAAR0/xqArchNHFWU/s1600/DSCN2783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlqNF57z0I/AAAAAAAAAR0/xqArchNHFWU/s320/DSCN2783.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlqPoCSDKI/AAAAAAAAAR8/dc_Q-yJfnHg/s1600/DSCN2787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlqPoCSDKI/AAAAAAAAAR8/dc_Q-yJfnHg/s200/DSCN2787.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlqV4iHRmI/AAAAAAAAASE/bmu275Tx5PI/s1600/DSCN2788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlqV4iHRmI/AAAAAAAAASE/bmu275Tx5PI/s200/DSCN2788.JPG" width="200" /></a>We stopped at Blackwell- best bookstore EVER!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">we shared this late froth thing...it was okay. generic iced coffee with cream in it? I should start drinking fancy coffees if I'm going to work at the Campus Center Cafe as a Barista (!) I just love saying that: BARISTA!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />Second to last High Table. LOVED the figs. Avocado? not so much. (at all; they taste like soap to me)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">nor blue cheese. ew.&nbsp;<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlqYzOBdHI/AAAAAAAAASM/w1j9m-SOSW0/s1600/DSCN2791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlqYzOBdHI/AAAAAAAAASM/w1j9m-SOSW0/s320/DSCN2791.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlqg0k205I/AAAAAAAAASU/bogdjcVNEks/s1600/DSCN2793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlqg0k205I/AAAAAAAAASU/bogdjcVNEks/s320/DSCN2793.JPG" /></a>this was the dinner. I love those little mashed potato patties. It's like what G would do if she were trained up a little/allowed to play with her mashed potatoes : )</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">more veggies this time!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlqjh-qsuI/AAAAAAAAASc/PZsL1lpvmbQ/s1600/DSCN2795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlqjh-qsuI/AAAAAAAAASc/PZsL1lpvmbQ/s320/DSCN2795.JPG" /></a>I'm so unhappy? My dinner contains Pine nuts. apparently the Brits don't know that pine NUTS are nuts?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlqnTGcSAI/AAAAAAAAASk/q3d26Y_yZl8/s1600/DSCN2801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlqnTGcSAI/AAAAAAAAASk/q3d26Y_yZl8/s200/DSCN2801.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlqpSAm1iI/AAAAAAAAASs/WcRDF1LYg-c/s1600/DSCN2805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlqpSAm1iI/AAAAAAAAASs/WcRDF1LYg-c/s200/DSCN2805.JPG" width="200" /></a>Ice Cream Bombe. I couldn't eat this (nuts in the crisp covering)....so they gave me the dessert I've been coveting the <i>entire time</i>:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlqroUzCFI/AAAAAAAAAS0/wxuFVB_6j1k/s1600/DSCN2802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlqroUzCFI/AAAAAAAAAS0/wxuFVB_6j1k/s320/DSCN2802.JPG" /></a>YUM</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">also: I'm pretty sure a tomatillo is not sweet....it might be a fruit. it's pretty though.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Once my friends had eaten the covering off the ice cream thing though, I had some because it had a liquid chocolate filling I had to try. not generally a fan of chocolate desserts but this one was okay.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlquVyqAMI/AAAAAAAAAS8/qiWVsP8v2CM/s1600/DSCN2806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlquVyqAMI/AAAAAAAAAS8/qiWVsP8v2CM/s200/DSCN2806.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlqweEDuKI/AAAAAAAAATE/mcfQI5B18Og/s1600/DSCN2807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlqweEDuKI/AAAAAAAAATE/mcfQI5B18Og/s200/DSCN2807.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">they took away my knife and brought me a (nearly) whole kiwi. what else was I supposed to do??</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">that's all for now folks. We're going to the Ashmolean with my History of the English Language class tomorrow (HOEL) so that should be fun (even though I've already been twice)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">after that I'm going to Nandos with Sreyashi and to the Thursday flea market!!</div>mindrunningwildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16601825523419720357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6616850142613447024.post-69826881706022245922010-08-04T06:17:00.000-07:002010-08-04T09:00:55.298-07:00Teacher, I need you!Because you've been wondering. I know you have. I know you've been wondering what the heck I've been learning in class. Well, here you go. I can show you some strange things that I've learned.<br /><div>For those of you who don't know, I've been studying The History of the English Language and Creative Short Story here at Oxford. My Creative Writing class is over with; it was the "minor" class and only lasted 4 weeks. I got back my final story, but I cannot read the professor's comments!!</div><div>My major class continues into next week, which is the week we go home : (&nbsp;</div><div>I have one more paper for that class, for which the topic I have chosen is "Discuss how Early Modern English is the period in which the language was both standardized and codified". funfunfun.&nbsp;</div><div>What does this have to do with my "intended major" you may ask?</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Absolutly nothing!</span></div><div>but it's Oxford, so who's complaining?&nbsp;</div><div>Here's a bit of a look at some of my notes and the things we deal with in class, then it's off to discuss some of the things I've been up to lately!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlkMD48flI/AAAAAAAAAPE/bYPn9gkJuD8/s1600/DSCN2810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlkMD48flI/AAAAAAAAAPE/bYPn9gkJuD8/s320/DSCN2810.JPG" /></a>page of notes? click, it might get bigger, although I will admit to having tiny handwriting!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>that's a bit better....<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlkPJ_SvgI/AAAAAAAAAPM/a1HQnkkGkCU/s1600/DSCN2811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlkPJ_SvgI/AAAAAAAAAPM/a1HQnkkGkCU/s200/DSCN2811.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlkP9SnKWI/AAAAAAAAAPU/fIOlWP_Mmxs/s1600/DSCN2812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlkP9SnKWI/AAAAAAAAAPU/fIOlWP_Mmxs/s200/DSCN2812.JPG" width="200" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>sometimes it makes me feel like this....<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlkSTSomxI/AAAAAAAAAPk/x8zuyjHPnEs/s1600/DSCN2817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFlkSTSomxI/AAAAAAAAAPk/x8zuyjHPnEs/s320/DSCN2817.JPG" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">analyzing Shakespeare in Early Modern English?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Did you know he never spelled his name in a consistent way?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">makes me feel like this....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some things I've learned <span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: line-through;">randomly</span>&nbsp;in class</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1. English is a germanic language, with roots in Latin, French and a whole slew of other languages. Sorry language purists, we've always been mutts.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2. the word "rune" means "secret" in Old English. We all used to be pagans and we wrote in runes. We is, of course, assuming English ancestry.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3. English used to have all sorts of changing pronouns based on case like German der/die/das, etc. Thank goodness we got rid of those!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">4. English was not always the primary language of England! Before English the elite language to speak was French and before that, Latin.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">5. Someone said that television would never catch on because it was a mixture of latin and greek words: "telos" = latin&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"visio"= greek for "to see far away"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">boy, were they wrong!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">6. Shirt and Skirt both used to mean "a short garment"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">7. The printing press really <i>was </i>important</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">8. deer make funny noises, something close to geese?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">9. there are multiple uses for the word "do/did"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">10. there were supposed to be 116 Canterbury Tales. There are only 23. oops.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">11. The British don't hate American English</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">12. it's <i>hilarious </i>when British people try to pronounce words with "R" like Car and Card</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">13. The original Canterbury Tales is in California in some guy's private library cause he was rich, instead of in Canterbury?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">14. The terms "upper" and "lower" case actually refers to where on the shelves or "cases" the movable type was kept.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">15. There was, at one time, a movement to spell things how they sounded. That didn't work...wonder why...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Alright folks.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I know so much about the English Language right now. I could just whip out some Old Texts for you. Except for not.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">chao!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div>mindrunningwildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16601825523419720357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6616850142613447024.post-47055382089807337552010-07-30T13:37:00.000-07:002010-07-30T13:37:12.697-07:00London with a side of MushroomsI didn't want to go to London today. There, I've said it, you can judge me.&nbsp;<div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFM0HpWaE3I/AAAAAAAAAMk/pjMX9_vCPgg/s1600/DSCN2697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFM0HpWaE3I/AAAAAAAAAMk/pjMX9_vCPgg/s320/DSCN2697.JPG" /></a>But seriously. Last time I went to London it was too hot and crowded. If you know me at all, you'll know that hot and crowded are two of my least favorite things. So imagine my surprise when I alighted the platform at Nottinghill Gate and found myself somewhere where tourists weren't taking up every inch of the sidewalk. Yes, there were still those Brits who refuse to obey <i>their own</i>&nbsp;queuing rules, but for the most part, it was relaxed and what crowds there were flowed.&nbsp;</div><div>Portobello Market is basically a whole slew of blocks, which is wonderful. There is something to delight everyone and I certainly was delighted- I spent money!</div><div><br /></div><div>This picture is the train station at Paddington. I saw the entire world and not the bear.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFM0ORPRKeI/AAAAAAAAAM8/bIE_9fopWJo/s1600/DSCN2702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFM0ORPRKeI/AAAAAAAAAM8/bIE_9fopWJo/s200/DSCN2702.JPG" width="200" /></a>a chain store- but I liked the sewing machines!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFM0P1evZVI/AAAAAAAAANE/_WaqKEt029o/s1600/DSCN2703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFM0P1evZVI/AAAAAAAAANE/_WaqKEt029o/s200/DSCN2703.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFM0RZvZi2I/AAAAAAAAANM/SLZaz1kdDxI/s1600/DSCN2706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFM0RZvZi2I/AAAAAAAAANM/SLZaz1kdDxI/s320/DSCN2706.JPG" /></a>this vintage store had a room full of shoes!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I think they keep the other half of the pair in the back so people don't steal. Good idea.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFM0S86fGXI/AAAAAAAAANU/uqPHhwH7q_A/s1600/DSCN2707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFM0S86fGXI/AAAAAAAAANU/uqPHhwH7q_A/s320/DSCN2707.JPG" /></a>Here we are!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />There was a covered market part as well, more with antique dresses and such!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFM0Ui9SYnI/AAAAAAAAANc/Drg4Ws094ag/s1600/DSCN2708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFM0Ui9SYnI/AAAAAAAAANc/Drg4Ws094ag/s200/DSCN2708.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFM0Vlg3NAI/AAAAAAAAANk/4zKoh7dvQxE/s1600/DSCN2709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFM0Vlg3NAI/AAAAAAAAANk/4zKoh7dvQxE/s200/DSCN2709.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFM0XTAYaKI/AAAAAAAAANs/Gp-RobPiQYw/s1600/DSCN2711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFM0XTAYaKI/AAAAAAAAANs/Gp-RobPiQYw/s320/DSCN2711.JPG" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFM0ZQUKL_I/AAAAAAAAAN0/FzGVRw0K1vM/s1600/DSCN2712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFM0ZQUKL_I/AAAAAAAAAN0/FzGVRw0K1vM/s320/DSCN2712.JPG" /></a>I really liked this 80P antique dress! it looks a bit like mom's wedding dress....which is probably why I like it</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />I didn't <i>really</i>&nbsp;want these...<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFM0rq34FXI/AAAAAAAAAN8/LbP_peKr4YE/s1600/DSCN2713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFM0rq34FXI/AAAAAAAAAN8/LbP_peKr4YE/s320/DSCN2713.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />see mom? I thought of you!! YUM<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFM0sev0zwI/AAAAAAAAAOE/KG6OsPBh0dU/s1600/DSCN2714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFM0sev0zwI/AAAAAAAAAOE/KG6OsPBh0dU/s320/DSCN2714.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFM0uQMAnYI/AAAAAAAAAOM/oSJ0Xi1NvGc/s1600/DSCN2715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFM0uQMAnYI/AAAAAAAAAOM/oSJ0Xi1NvGc/s200/DSCN2715.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFM0wcTqVlI/AAAAAAAAAOU/X3KYosBlUIU/s1600/DSCN2716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFM0wcTqVlI/AAAAAAAAAOU/X3KYosBlUIU/s200/DSCN2716.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFM0x59e1uI/AAAAAAAAAOc/VrVUuavEVDc/s1600/DSCN2717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFM0x59e1uI/AAAAAAAAAOc/VrVUuavEVDc/s320/DSCN2717.JPG" /></a>Me and Alex split a mexican wrap thing. Can you tell that we've moved past the antiques part? : )</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFM1AvR4IPI/AAAAAAAAAO8/_Wm4DB7OAh8/s1600/DSCN2722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFM1AvR4IPI/AAAAAAAAAO8/_Wm4DB7OAh8/s320/DSCN2722.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><br /></div><div>time to go home!</div><div>we might go back for the long weekend?&nbsp;</div><div>Mushrooms always prove me wrong; I always think I don't like them then they blow me away. and I <i>always</i>&nbsp;go back for more.</div>mindrunningwildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16601825523419720357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6616850142613447024.post-30905456517275057012010-07-29T06:04:00.000-07:002010-07-29T06:04:08.584-07:00Oh, to live in a palace!I'm sorry! it's been awhile since I last posted, and honestly I have not been that busy. All that aside, here is the information about the past week. In photographs with brief textual explanation, as per usual.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFF3916AwpI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/qoIWX0I5lX8/s1600/DSCN2260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFF3916AwpI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/qoIWX0I5lX8/s320/DSCN2260.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Me and Chelsea wearing pretty much the same outfit! (in the Beer Celler during the World Cup which I was not watching)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><iframe allowFullScreen='true' webkitallowfullscreen='true' mozallowfullscreen='true' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzTtR72U6IX1gNFYT7QUIR_mA1aI_SWA0qEIgiB3Jsb_-qfrSknJs0qJMLRj3QpOxmcywdkRPPexy3qwx0qvA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' FRAMEBORDER='0' /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">this is what happens periodically outside my window in the morning. Gotta keep that grass up. I also think they have a one-up on Smith in terms of obsessive grass-keeping behaviors</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFF4blwJk8I/AAAAAAAAAJ8/wkOiLoXiZ9Y/s1600/34739_838518904322_9131048_45965894_2420329_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFF4blwJk8I/AAAAAAAAAJ8/wkOiLoXiZ9Y/s320/34739_838518904322_9131048_45965894_2420329_n.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's a nice photograph of us at Merton College (something to do with the Inklings who used to meet on this bench!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(l-r, top to bottom)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kevin, Dmitriy, Me</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thom, Ethan, Andre, Veronica</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFF456jGI3I/AAAAAAAAAKE/nTMj_Zy9MYU/s1600/DSCN2595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFF456jGI3I/AAAAAAAAAKE/nTMj_Zy9MYU/s320/DSCN2595.JPG" /></a>Broad Street/Cornmarket Street from a double-decker bus!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFF5FFapSbI/AAAAAAAAAKM/Q53y3v5QBEo/s1600/DSCN2604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFF5FFapSbI/AAAAAAAAAKM/Q53y3v5QBEo/s200/DSCN2604.JPG" width="200" /></a>Here we are!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFF5GTJX4VI/AAAAAAAAAKU/dacZimhOR80/s1600/DSCN2607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFF5GTJX4VI/AAAAAAAAAKU/dacZimhOR80/s200/DSCN2607.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFF5KoprnbI/AAAAAAAAAKc/RxiHDQsWUBM/s1600/DSCN2614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFF5KoprnbI/AAAAAAAAAKc/RxiHDQsWUBM/s200/DSCN2614.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFF5PajAp7I/AAAAAAAAAKk/IsaPcDogRlo/s1600/DSCN2617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFF5PajAp7I/AAAAAAAAAKk/IsaPcDogRlo/s320/DSCN2617.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFF5VyRa6XI/AAAAAAAAAKs/1qx96LNbcTw/s1600/DSCN2622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFF5VyRa6XI/AAAAAAAAAKs/1qx96LNbcTw/s320/DSCN2622.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">pretty neat ceiling, right? almost rivals the rabbit in Madeline!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFF5Yi_C2mI/AAAAAAAAAK0/ef9giPUXGA8/s1600/DSCN2627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFF5Yi_C2mI/AAAAAAAAAK0/ef9giPUXGA8/s200/DSCN2627.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFF5eKYDfRI/AAAAAAAAAK8/AsEMhvbffPU/s1600/DSCN2636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFF5eKYDfRI/AAAAAAAAAK8/AsEMhvbffPU/s200/DSCN2636.JPG" width="200" /></a>take 1</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFF5iIym8fI/AAAAAAAAALE/UqQVwZrHDb8/s1600/DSCN2637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFF5iIym8fI/AAAAAAAAALE/UqQVwZrHDb8/s320/DSCN2637.JPG" /></a>take 2</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFF5kvHRrdI/AAAAAAAAALM/su53BxrT3ag/s1600/DSCN2646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFF5kvHRrdI/AAAAAAAAALM/su53BxrT3ag/s320/DSCN2646.JPG" width="320" /></a>On board the train to the Pleasure Gardens! (me and Sreyashi)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFF5rUKh7SI/AAAAAAAAALU/LiLpbRRKHlM/s1600/DSCN2651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFF5rUKh7SI/AAAAAAAAALU/LiLpbRRKHlM/s320/DSCN2651.JPG" /></a>How pleasureful!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFF5xdTRxDI/AAAAAAAAALc/X5xHgNPU1WY/s1600/DSCN2660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFF5xdTRxDI/AAAAAAAAALc/X5xHgNPU1WY/s640/DSCN2660.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Can you find me?<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Looking for the Triwizard Cup<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFF5zEZ-jzI/AAAAAAAAALk/G79sb8Z6dfE/s1600/DSCN2666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFF5zEZ-jzI/AAAAAAAAALk/G79sb8Z6dfE/s320/DSCN2666.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So that was Blenheim Palace. Beautiful with EXTENSIVE gardens and lawns. I don't know what I would do with it all if I lived there, honestly. If we lived here, I would buy a season's pass just to have picnics and walks on the grounds!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Monday we had our special Balcony Dinner (not, in fact, on a balcony) with our major class (so I had mine with Simon Horabin, History of the English Language). This is a testiment to the fact that the silverware here is <i>too big.&nbsp;</i><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFF52sWNGPI/AAAAAAAAALs/_vXbX48MXrA/s1600/DSCN2673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFF52sWNGPI/AAAAAAAAALs/_vXbX48MXrA/s320/DSCN2673.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">but the desserts are yummy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFF55zJ9V7I/AAAAAAAAAL0/Mc_IRIdNiUE/s1600/DSCN2676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFF55zJ9V7I/AAAAAAAAAL0/Mc_IRIdNiUE/s320/DSCN2676.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFF7WBc7uSI/AAAAAAAAAL8/l_dsVUppSTY/s1600/DSCN2678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFF7WBc7uSI/AAAAAAAAAL8/l_dsVUppSTY/s200/DSCN2678.JPG" width="200" /></a>and that High Table is fancy<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFF7Zy98-_I/AAAAAAAAAME/oOrwAFc1qL4/s1600/DSCN2679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFF7Zy98-_I/AAAAAAAAAME/oOrwAFc1qL4/s200/DSCN2679.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFF7f96SCFI/AAAAAAAAAMM/bbYiPQWX7GE/s1600/DSCN2680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFF7f96SCFI/AAAAAAAAAMM/bbYiPQWX7GE/s320/DSCN2680.JPG" /></a>disgusting Pate thing (who knows what it was) but the onion thing was good....HUGE FORK(and that was the dessert one!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFF7hgfq-VI/AAAAAAAAAMU/0qn3Mh9u-Fk/s1600/DSCN2681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFF7hgfq-VI/AAAAAAAAAMU/0qn3Mh9u-Fk/s320/DSCN2681.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">this was pretty gross. see what I mean about the veggies? LAME. Okay Great Britain, I know you had a potato famine, but you can grow things. Potatoes aren't even <i>green!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFF8JEi4_RI/AAAAAAAAAMc/7r3yo5eMz74/s1600/DSCN2682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TFF8JEi4_RI/AAAAAAAAAMc/7r3yo5eMz74/s320/DSCN2682.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">last and least. yuck. I envied the girl who told them she didn't eat sugar; she got a nice huge plate of fresh exotic fruits!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>mindrunningwildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16601825523419720357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6616850142613447024.post-7295977910600549432010-07-23T00:48:00.000-07:002010-07-23T00:48:13.641-07:00Playing PretendHello and good morning!<br />Today we're off to Blenheim Palace, which is conveniently located 1/2 hour away from Oxford by bus.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.blenheimpalace.com/">http://www.blenheimpalace.com/</a><br />Take a look at some of the beautiful pictures, if you like, but look forward of course to my wonderful (not) photography later! I will surely be taking a number of photographs.<br />I love visiting historic buildings such as this one because it enables me to feed that part of me that feels like it was born in the wrong century. That also may or may not be all of me. I love to wander the gardens and rooms, imagining that I am wearing a grand gown or a simple frock; anything but jeans and a t-shirt like I am in reality. I imagine that my dainty feet cross the limestone patio with a click and my shawl drapes across my shoulders with as much grace as I conduct myself with the entire day. I am pale but this time it is appropriate and I know that I do not become tan, thus making my need for the lacy parasol in my hand unnecessary. Yet I carry it, because I have always longed to carry such an accessory.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TElG1s1zx3I/AAAAAAAAAIA/ow82MFX8xfU/s1600/DSCN2504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TElG1s1zx3I/AAAAAAAAAIA/ow82MFX8xfU/s320/DSCN2504.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here are some Smithies: (l-r)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">me, Abby, Liz (and Dmeirti in the background)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TElHF7xH08I/AAAAAAAAAII/Vmyn9QhbgAI/s1600/DSCN2510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TElHF7xH08I/AAAAAAAAAII/Vmyn9QhbgAI/s320/DSCN2510.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These are the dishes from high table. I think gourmet food is silly.&nbsp;<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TElHLXD2p9I/AAAAAAAAAIQ/cjUXKv02XZQ/s1600/DSCN2512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TElHLXD2p9I/AAAAAAAAAIQ/cjUXKv02XZQ/s320/DSCN2512.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TElHaAaC4qI/AAAAAAAAAIY/1kJ_DDy3WbY/s1600/DSCN2524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TElHaAaC4qI/AAAAAAAAAIY/1kJ_DDy3WbY/s320/DSCN2524.JPG" /></a></div>Here I am at the Museum of Science in oxford. This is a puffer fish. I have a certain affinity to these fishies because they Smile!! (just like me)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TElHstHLnmI/AAAAAAAAAIg/u4LUhU21yh4/s1600/DSCN2535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TElHstHLnmI/AAAAAAAAAIg/u4LUhU21yh4/s320/DSCN2535.JPG" /></a></div>Here is Einstein's blackboard. Props to him; I could never solve those equations!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TElH4eIFDFI/AAAAAAAAAIo/rgxJOw8grac/s1600/DSCN2540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TElH4eIFDFI/AAAAAAAAAIo/rgxJOw8grac/s200/DSCN2540.JPG" width="200" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TElH8u4v97I/AAAAAAAAAIw/hYnGXN8gGzE/s1600/DSCN2541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TElH8u4v97I/AAAAAAAAAIw/hYnGXN8gGzE/s200/DSCN2541.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>(L) tools for removing limbs....<br />(R) an early artificial hand!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TElIOVm_FMI/AAAAAAAAAI4/_0Q-VEPluro/s1600/DSCN2532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TElIOVm_FMI/AAAAAAAAAI4/_0Q-VEPluro/s320/DSCN2532.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love this photograph JUST for the face that kid is making in the background. If you've ever seen the Numa Numa video, does he not look just like the guy?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TElIcbtzldI/AAAAAAAAAJA/PonXrd8U2zQ/s1600/DSCN2567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TElIcbtzldI/AAAAAAAAAJA/PonXrd8U2zQ/s320/DSCN2567.JPG" /></a></div>This is for sure the most intense ruler I've ever seen in my life. I could measure <i>ANYTHING</i> with this device.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TElItpjv0FI/AAAAAAAAAJI/sCQCa6flQj0/s1600/DSCN2576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TElItpjv0FI/AAAAAAAAAJI/sCQCa6flQj0/s320/DSCN2576.JPG" /></a>There were so many of these here, I cannot tell you how beautiful they were!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TElI4UjuuhI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/kJ2hz5o38W4/s1600/DSCN2585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TElI4UjuuhI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/kJ2hz5o38W4/s200/DSCN2585.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TElI9SFA36I/AAAAAAAAAJY/6UXFvL9-S5A/s1600/DSCN2580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TElI9SFA36I/AAAAAAAAAJY/6UXFvL9-S5A/s200/DSCN2580.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These are just some of the wonderful Owl things I've found and not purchased.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(L) stickers on 100 sheets (all different, I think!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(R) an Owl-themed letter opener; perfect for me although the price was not (32GBP)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">until later!</div>mindrunningwildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16601825523419720357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6616850142613447024.post-40874856858795194462010-07-20T03:53:00.000-07:002010-07-20T03:53:00.984-07:00hemhemhem<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />I know now why British people often took holidays to the mountains or some place sunny to feel better at a Sanitarium! I feel dreadful! This cough has moved to the daytime too now, and I am thinking that perhaps I am going to have to cave to go get "dry, tickly, cough" medicine from Boots. I now have an advantage card there, which is perfect!!<br />I asked my scout if she would return my tea kettle (the one that heats up) and at first she declined me, saying that she was asked to take them away. I decided to try again, telling her that I had a cold, and she relented, if we would keep it quiet (putting her hands to her lips). I now have a tea kettle and a cup, which is wonderful and I am sure it will help my cough, if only by lessening the symptoms.<br />Here are some recent photos. I took one of my cucumber cheese sandwich but haven't uploaded it yet. I'm sure you can wait; these are much more thrilling!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TEV9-oVEhlI/AAAAAAAAAGw/Osr4f83qN2Y/s1600/DSCN2469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TEV9-oVEhlI/AAAAAAAAAGw/Osr4f83qN2Y/s320/DSCN2469.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">this is a pretty cute shop in town that sells really pricy boutique chocolates</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TEV-GdhrzjI/AAAAAAAAAG4/hgtOnWTquKQ/s1600/DSCN2471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TEV-GdhrzjI/AAAAAAAAAG4/hgtOnWTquKQ/s320/DSCN2471.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">these are some Per Una shoes at Marks and Spencer that I just COVET (unfortunately, they are 45 GBP)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TEV-hkZa3lI/AAAAAAAAAHI/VIU3z0AIEWw/s1600/DSCN2474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TEV-hkZa3lI/AAAAAAAAAHI/VIU3z0AIEWw/s200/DSCN2474.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TEV-elgaZcI/AAAAAAAAAHA/j8nW_sbI2tM/s1600/DSCN2473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TEV-elgaZcI/AAAAAAAAAHA/j8nW_sbI2tM/s200/DSCN2473.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I wish I knew how to flip photos.....these are trees in University Park!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TEV-t5gfnZI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/syEQwSfsO1M/s1600/DSCN2486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TEV-t5gfnZI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/syEQwSfsO1M/s320/DSCN2486.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TEV-0MwAnKI/AAAAAAAAAHY/Bq0tnLWE5jg/s1600/DSCN2488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TEV-0MwAnKI/AAAAAAAAAHY/Bq0tnLWE5jg/s320/DSCN2488.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm kind of short, aren't I.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />Here is the Museum of Natural History (I think), which, naturally, contrasts quite lovely against the blue sky.&nbsp;<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TEV_Thr7VBI/AAAAAAAAAHw/hAbDshwoVlo/s1600/DSCN2490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TEV_Thr7VBI/AAAAAAAAAHw/hAbDshwoVlo/s320/DSCN2490.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TEV_85Q6B0I/AAAAAAAAAH4/0BkkGDRGTbw/s1600/DSCN2494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TEV_85Q6B0I/AAAAAAAAAH4/0BkkGDRGTbw/s320/DSCN2494.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">what great pains they go to to keep Trinity looking lovely....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">tata for now!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>mindrunningwildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16601825523419720357noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6616850142613447024.post-37271533428196194772010-07-19T06:04:00.000-07:002010-07-19T06:26:00.732-07:00That's when I remember....the things I miss the mostI hope some of you caught the Steely Dan reference there....if you didn't it would be like me last week at our lecture. Our lecturer, Sir Christopher Ricks, referenced Dylan multiple times, referring to Bob Dylan. Of course I did not figure this, thinking the entire time that he was referring to Dylan Thomas, the Welsh poet. Besides the point.<br />I am having the true time of my life here, where else can you get so many groceries for 7.50P?? (don't convert that into USD and you're fine....)<br />Here is a list of the things I DO miss the most about the good old USA (don't blink twice, you're not going to hear me complimenting the US too many times over my lifetime)<br />In no ranked order.....<br />1. My bed and pillow- the bed here is so hard and the pillow is too big. I've taken to sleeping without the pillow so I don't feel like I'm sleeping with my neck at a 45 degree angle.<br />2. grocery store selection- I like the difference here, but I miss the cereal selection, for instance. although it can sometimes be overwhelming. I do, however, like the delicious other things they have here that aren't in the US, like Rhubarb yogurt and Toffee yogurt!<br />3. my family, that's a given! I miss having people to hug!<br />4. going to the bookstore and on errands with mom<br />5. the variety of stores to go to<br />6. Target<br />7. powdered drink mixes/vitamin water/sobe life waters<br />8. frozen yogurt<br />9. fresh foods that aren't smothered with butter and cream to mask the fact that the English don't know how to use spices<br />10. listening to cds in the car loudly with Dad<br />11. Buffets where you serve yourself, this whole "let me scoop that for you/grab the tongs out of your hand" thing really doesn't do it for me. If I wanted a HUGE plate of your disgusting cheesecreambutter pasta with random beans thrown in, I would tell you, honest.<br />12. not being run over by busses careening (or "careering" as they say here) around the corner<br />13. the doctors that will give you an actual diagnosis (seriously people, we're not druids anymore, I don't want to wave my arms in the air by moonlight and hop on one foot while chewing a leaf)<br />14. Hard boiled eggs- they seem to be able to do everything to eggs here except hard boil them. I think they just don't know what they would do if they couldn't add mayo/salad cream, butter, cream or cheese to it.<br />15. salad creations- I miss fresh things like that, English food, as I'm sure you've realized by now, is not too good.<br />16. stores that are open past 5pm. What if I wanted some medicine at 7pm? no? no? what, and so you leave me to die?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TERR9zsekFI/AAAAAAAAAGo/VLMBPNkYMQM/s1600/DSCN2499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TERR9zsekFI/AAAAAAAAAGo/VLMBPNkYMQM/s320/DSCN2499.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(1 cucumber, 2 loaves bread, 1 package pancakes, 1 triple pack gum, 2 cans soup, 1 large prepared soup, 1 cottage cheese, 1 dark chocolate bar, 1 laughing cow cheese)</div><br />Here are some things that I like about it here!<br />1. the grocery stores<br />2. the walking parks<br />3. the public transportation and it's ease<br />4. the history<br />5. the accent!!<br />6. the prepared foods that are healthy!<br />7. the attention they pay to the homeless and their efforts<br />8. their focus on health<br />9. the easily labeled packages on food; sesame is actually listed as an allergen here!<br />10. Jacket Potatoes!!!!!!<br />11. Spaghetti-os in a can. single serve. in different shapes. who cares if it's for children. they're yummy. 12. the covered market, so cute!<br />13. their fashion sense, so nice and absolutely no Kohls in sight!<br />14. the cute cute cute uniforms the children wear in school!<br />15. antique bookstores!<br /><br />I will add to this list as I think of things!mindrunningwildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16601825523419720357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6616850142613447024.post-52940398194976582652010-07-18T08:22:00.000-07:002010-07-18T08:23:21.419-07:00rub a dubdub, three brits in a tub/pub!Yes, we did go to Bath. and no, I didn't see anyone bathing; just the ghosts of the Romans who used to.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TEMUf6hoCiI/AAAAAAAAAE4/p2bgmfqrZIs/s1600/DSCN2343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TEMUf6hoCiI/AAAAAAAAAE4/p2bgmfqrZIs/s320/DSCN2343.JPG" /></a></div>So much has seemed to change since I've last been, although I did see some of my favorite sights from last visit. This does seem familiar? It's the next step up from Demuths and Sally Lunns!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TEMVtDQ-OxI/AAAAAAAAAFA/wCJX_WVfzbs/s1600/DSCN2345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TEMVtDQ-OxI/AAAAAAAAAFA/wCJX_WVfzbs/s320/DSCN2345.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I can't get enough of the sky here in contrast to the OLD buildings. I could look up forever, except that the sidewalks are so often crowded!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TEMWOgRu1jI/AAAAAAAAAFI/OZtrmSWuccU/s1600/DSCN2346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TEMWOgRu1jI/AAAAAAAAAFI/OZtrmSWuccU/s320/DSCN2346.JPG" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">same day, rather ominous sky?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TEMWevUg6uI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/aQhfHZCNMjE/s1600/DSCN2348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TEMWevUg6uI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/aQhfHZCNMjE/s320/DSCN2348.JPG" /></a>I've found that street performers are so much higher quality here than they are in the states. Not that the Town of Ballston gets anyone on the streets without sidewalks, but I'm impressed. This guy did "I have a dream" from Momma Mia!</div>&nbsp;<br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TEMXWdoUfTI/AAAAAAAAAFY/3CAgJ0eDhqE/s1600/DSCN2362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TEMXWdoUfTI/AAAAAAAAAFY/3CAgJ0eDhqE/s320/DSCN2362.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I often find that pictures in front of tall buildings don't quite do either party appropriate justice...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TEMXi0e2eMI/AAAAAAAAAFg/wr2BoXeXi1M/s1600/DSCN2363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TEMXi0e2eMI/AAAAAAAAAFg/wr2BoXeXi1M/s200/DSCN2363.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TEMXwxxemZI/AAAAAAAAAFo/p1quYk7Iz_4/s1600/DSCN2384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TEMXwxxemZI/AAAAAAAAAFo/p1quYk7Iz_4/s200/DSCN2384.JPG" width="200" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">AH I don't know how to flip photos but these parts haven't changed much!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TEMYI2iQ05I/AAAAAAAAAFw/AW9CEq8eqyU/s1600/DSCN2410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TEMYI2iQ05I/AAAAAAAAAFw/AW9CEq8eqyU/s320/DSCN2410.JPG" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">something I don't think I did last time; drink the mineral water with 46 minerals and vitamins! I had a whole glass! (rather bad after taste, admittedly, although I look quite composed)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TEMYllxHSyI/AAAAAAAAAF4/_DudmPAXWoU/s1600/DSCN2426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TEMYllxHSyI/AAAAAAAAAF4/_DudmPAXWoU/s320/DSCN2426.JPG" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">then we walked up to the Assembly Rooms and danced like Regency ladies and gentlemen.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TEMZJDQdpGI/AAAAAAAAAGA/6MkHM2r2FQo/s1600/DSCN2431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TEMZJDQdpGI/AAAAAAAAAGA/6MkHM2r2FQo/s200/DSCN2431.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TEMZRYy5xLI/AAAAAAAAAGI/cqJZzjDZ-J4/s1600/DSCN2433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TEMZRYy5xLI/AAAAAAAAAGI/cqJZzjDZ-J4/s200/DSCN2433.JPG" width="200" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">some memories!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TEMZap0CMGI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/_E9nQBg-9eo/s1600/DSCN2444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TEMZap0CMGI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/_E9nQBg-9eo/s320/DSCN2444.JPG" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">somehow, these are FAR larger than I remember!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TEMZwJKcKbI/AAAAAAAAAGY/jgbZOHSotnI/s1600/DSCN2451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TEMZwJKcKbI/AAAAAAAAAGY/jgbZOHSotnI/s320/DSCN2451.JPG" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;">We went to an <i>excellent </i>Antique Bookshop right on the corner near the train-station (which would explain our not finding it when we came to Bath before)! The minute you open the old doors, you are surrounded by the most wonderful smells of old Antique books, all different, all signifying different years, time periods, owners, lives. Of course, I had to cough to ruin the moment, but I quickly pulled it together with a gulp of water and began to wander amongst the books, smelling each one in turn, as I could inhale their history that way. I leafed through so many books, running my fingers across their pages where others had also placed theirs. I am most certainly going back to this book shop.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TEMcA9P7lGI/AAAAAAAAAGg/-2An2QMaxAY/s1600/DSCN2456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TEMcA9P7lGI/AAAAAAAAAGg/-2An2QMaxAY/s320/DSCN2456.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and home again, home again, jiggity jig!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">FINAL THOUGHTS? expatriating ASAP.&nbsp;</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br /></span></span></div>mindrunningwildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16601825523419720357noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6616850142613447024.post-61972304679316138542010-07-18T07:33:00.000-07:002010-07-18T07:33:06.557-07:00I'm rather ill...<i>Well, </i>for one thing, I now feel a bit better, but for sure one of the most interesting cultural experiences I have had thus far has been going to the Doctors Office- or Surgery as termed here. I don't have any photographs (who takes photos in the doctors office?) but I can describe to you, not too wordily, how it went.<br />So first off, in the UK, the word "Surgery" means both it's American meaning, appointment AND doctor's office. talk about confusing. Nevertheless, I knew that all three were located at the same establishment and thus, there I was at last.<br />I was told by a very kind receptionist that I would wait a short time although I ended up waiting about 45 minutes instead. I eventually turned to the only other person in the waiting room, a man in his late 50's reading a rather large novel, and said "Excuse me sir....excuse me sir?" to which he said nothing at all and simply sat, stone faced, reading his novel. This led me to conclude that he was either incredibly hard of hearing or incredibly rude.<br />The actual doctor's visit lasted less than 10 minutes in a small room that looked more like someone's cluttered hobby room than a conventional American treatment room. Dr. Sichel himself was nice and proclaimed me well in a short time with a small cold perhaps and instructions to rest myself.<br />I'm not sure if I still believe him...it's sunday and I am still coughing.<br />I think I'm allergic to the cold. Weather here is, I realized today, on the latitude with northern canada!mindrunningwildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16601825523419720357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6616850142613447024.post-59718063823553362282010-07-14T01:53:00.000-07:002010-07-14T01:53:49.618-07:00Politics of friends and laundryHellooooo to you all!<br />I am happy to report that after long last, I have received not one, not two, but Three letters ladies and gentlemen, three letters!! One from Mimaw, one from Heather and one from Grace. I do so enjoy getting letters and will reply to them post haste, of course! Now, if I can only find the location of the post office....<br />It's been sort of gloomy here, with rain and clouds, typical England weather, I suppose. I've also not been feeling well, which put a damper on yesterday. today, however, I am feeling much improved and have planned errands as well as the presentation of someone I met at 1130 at a local museum! My new friend's name is Matthew and he is presenting as part of a larger group who are all taking some aspect of art history. I met Matthew the other day at Tea and invited him to sit with me today at breakfast, whereupon he, hearing I had no previous engagements for the day, invited me to his presentation. How wonderful to even be making friends across colleges! (He is from St. Bonaventure). I also met another guy this morning in the laundry room, who helped me with my washing (it's a bit complicated). Alas, I failed to get his name.<br />The laundry here is so complicated that it nearly makes one not want to do one's laundry, although of course, one must do one's laundry if one brought as small a suitcase as I did.<br />Tonight we have our Harry Potter walk, which I am so excited for! It promises to be wonderful and I will surely have more photos after that!!<br />Some pictures for you now!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TD16f9TjALI/AAAAAAAAAEA/czuZT25uXLA/s1600/34242_1381007245280_1234890162_30969728_266251_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TD16f9TjALI/AAAAAAAAAEA/czuZT25uXLA/s320/34242_1381007245280_1234890162_30969728_266251_n.jpg" /></a>Taking a tour of Oxford!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TD16lJNNYYI/AAAAAAAAAEI/M6gTHFI5nuU/s1600/35208_1381025605739_1234890162_30969883_4983308_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TD16lJNNYYI/AAAAAAAAAEI/M6gTHFI5nuU/s320/35208_1381025605739_1234890162_30969883_4983308_n.jpg" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TD16oj2qpGI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/QrBvoQuoLK4/s1600/35208_1381025645740_1234890162_30969884_2952322_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TD16oj2qpGI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/QrBvoQuoLK4/s320/35208_1381025645740_1234890162_30969884_2952322_n.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cartwheeling after high table dinner!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TD16v5W5oxI/AAAAAAAAAEY/wp5pM-3SBTA/s1600/38154_1381031925897_1234890162_30969955_6652194_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TD16v5W5oxI/AAAAAAAAAEY/wp5pM-3SBTA/s320/38154_1381031925897_1234890162_30969955_6652194_n.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A saturday evening picnic in University Park&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(l-r: Vashal, Laura, Me, Chelsea)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">cheers! off to write more letters!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>mindrunningwildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16601825523419720357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6616850142613447024.post-82827123924471274632010-07-12T05:34:00.000-07:002010-07-12T05:34:47.276-07:00SO many pictures!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />Well, if there is any testament to the fun I am having here, surrounded by wonderful friends (even if I am unable to recognize it all the time) it is these pictures!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TDsJxJrKatI/AAAAAAAAAC4/mzw2HMrIaiM/s1600/38098_1203627691019_1238400437_30935739_6397467_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TDsJxJrKatI/AAAAAAAAAC4/mzw2HMrIaiM/s320/38098_1203627691019_1238400437_30935739_6397467_n.jpg" /></a>This picture is at the Staircase 14 party!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(l-r, Bryana, me, Anne-Carol, Veronica)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TDsKATlqdXI/AAAAAAAAADA/Jt7Dg7v85u8/s1600/36719_684147626118_60717711_37387996_2844551_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TDsKATlqdXI/AAAAAAAAADA/Jt7Dg7v85u8/s320/36719_684147626118_60717711_37387996_2844551_n.jpg" /></a><br />Me and Veshal at Turf Tavern<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TDsKOK4IMBI/AAAAAAAAADI/sbOWSbQvd30/s1600/34542_684147531308_60717711_37387992_36285_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TDsKOK4IMBI/AAAAAAAAADI/sbOWSbQvd30/s320/34542_684147531308_60717711_37387992_36285_n.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">a whole group of us at Turf Tavern after High Table Dinner</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TDsKax9J-9I/AAAAAAAAADQ/7t0dnPsmX-E/s1600/35361_1412585474829_1238280813_31281050_6251958_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TDsKax9J-9I/AAAAAAAAADQ/7t0dnPsmX-E/s320/35361_1412585474829_1238280813_31281050_6251958_n.jpg" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">outside staircase 17 (l-r; Abby, Garth, Me, Shelby)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TDsKqTFNoNI/AAAAAAAAADY/xsKTXLozHIA/s1600/35361_1412585514830_1238280813_31281051_1061044_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Garth takes creepy photos from across the street on Alice's Day<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TDsKqTFNoNI/AAAAAAAAADY/xsKTXLozHIA/s1600/35361_1412585514830_1238280813_31281051_1061044_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TDsKqTFNoNI/AAAAAAAAADY/xsKTXLozHIA/s320/35361_1412585514830_1238280813_31281051_1061044_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TDsKqTFNoNI/AAAAAAAAADY/xsKTXLozHIA/s1600/35361_1412585514830_1238280813_31281051_1061044_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TDsK6hsh4uI/AAAAAAAAADo/Dm16-YH-PUw/s1600/38382_410811456946_556116946_4749631_1120589_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TDsK6hsh4uI/AAAAAAAAADo/Dm16-YH-PUw/s320/38382_410811456946_556116946_4749631_1120589_n.jpg" /></a>Before.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TDsK1KlBSuI/AAAAAAAAADg/0_RI4OT5psI/s1600/38382_410811461946_556116946_4749632_6960549_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TDsK1KlBSuI/AAAAAAAAADg/0_RI4OT5psI/s320/38382_410811461946_556116946_4749632_6960549_n.jpg" /></a>after! (me and Liz and some Pimms)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TDsLaGIprFI/AAAAAAAAAD4/gCytbwzOHw0/s1600/34776_1508308470322_1312641305_1400637_5213351_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TDsLaGIprFI/AAAAAAAAAD4/gCytbwzOHw0/s320/34776_1508308470322_1312641305_1400637_5213351_n.jpg" /></a>Turf Tavern<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(l-r; me, Sreyashi, Chey, Olivia, Jackie)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Needless to say, I am having a great time, and lots of Pimms!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and I'm wearing that gray jacket</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">a lot</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">CHEERS!</div>mindrunningwildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16601825523419720357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6616850142613447024.post-50299897877248390562010-07-11T04:04:00.000-07:002010-07-11T04:04:23.971-07:00Hello? Who is it?It's London calling!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TDmI6VWufKI/AAAAAAAAACY/ANGKYV9U5CI/s1600/DSCN2157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TDmI6VWufKI/AAAAAAAAACY/ANGKYV9U5CI/s320/DSCN2157.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Big Ben!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>yes, I went to London on Friday but for some reason, it was not what I had expected. Far too big for my taste, unfortunately. We took the train in, which was wonderful because each friday they have planned trips for us for free! (or perhaps a minimal charge). I wish I'd known this, however, before I set off and bought my BritRail pass because now we've got free trips each weekend and I don't know who wants to go with me anywhere. Updates to come. So far, I know that we are going to Brighton next weekend, Salisbury/Stonehenge, Brasnose (a cottage that I have inevitably spelled incorrectly), perhaps the Globe Theatre....and perhaps something else? I don't know. But they're free!<br />The tube is a terrible place. My friend Liz said that sometimes they make an announcement that the tube has to stop because someone has just thrown themselves underneath. horrifying. The tube was hot and crowded and we all stood betwixt and between many people who I felt sure would suddenly reach into my pocket and find the phone, camera and train ticket that I had placed there. I kept one arm wound backwards around my backpack because mom prepared me to be robbed and mugged of all my worldly possessions. Of course, this did not happen, because I am a savvy traveler. And I have a wonderful informative mother.<br />We exited the subway smack dab underneith Big Ben. I would not have known it was him unless someone had mentioned it, because if you look up, you can't see his face:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TDmbVVDhJ6I/AAAAAAAAACg/eypz0SjSxAE/s1600/DSCN2153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TDmbVVDhJ6I/AAAAAAAAACg/eypz0SjSxAE/s320/DSCN2153.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TDmcZtx00NI/AAAAAAAAACo/G7ef6TW4AOE/s1600/DSCN2171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TDmcZtx00NI/AAAAAAAAACo/G7ef6TW4AOE/s320/DSCN2171.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We walked across the bridge towards Westminster Abbey and from the Abbey I could see Big Ben, The London Eye, Parliament and a double decker bus. I attempted to take a photo of all four at once and finally succeeded. I will spare you all of the mistakes and share with you what I deem the most touristy photograph I've taken yet!<br /><br /><br /><br />Westminster was beautiful! What doors this place had Dad, I would have taken photographs except they were not permitted. I resigned myself to the fact that it was okay not to have captured it all on camera because we were not allowed to take photographs anyhow. It's all in my mind and I have fond memories indeed. I do find the burial for people who were so simple and pious in life to be a bit overdone in death, as if they were saving up. I got to see some famous people's graves/memorials though, which was neat. To name a few: Kippling, Yeats, Chaucer, Shakespeare, Handel, QE1, Mary Queen of Scots, Mary Tudor, ect. I was especially interested in Poets Corner, where memorial stones have been placed in memory of many poets and writers. &nbsp;As I usually do when I am touring something historic, I got into my head and imagined as I walked about that I was wearing a long, beautiful gown and attending to my prayers. I know I will never pray or wear a beautiful gown but both of these would have been acceptable back then for me, certainly. The audio guide was quite informative and laced with choral renditions of songs that brought Grampie to mind. Has he ever sung there, I wonder....<br />It's amazing to think that everything here is so old, because nothing in the states is. I've stood on millions of old, dead people and walked across the same cobblestones as countless famous authors and other such cohorts. History is buzzing inside each stone on this island.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TDmk2ouG0HI/AAAAAAAAACw/_38rA4gCFUk/s1600/DSCN2192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C1GzFZXWArg/TDmk2ouG0HI/AAAAAAAAACw/_38rA4gCFUk/s320/DSCN2192.JPG" width="320" /></a>I began to not enjoy London when I exited the Abbey (and therefore my romantic stupor) and found myself quite alone and unable to find anyone in my group. After a moment of curious contemplation and a couple phone calls, and minutes of walking about, I found others again and off we set to the National Museum. &nbsp;We did not have much time, as many of us planned to return to Oxford soon after due to exhaustion, so we were given a mere half hour to glance over everything! I know I shall have to return to soak in each and every painting, but at least I got to see the two paintings I most wanted to see; the Vermeers that Dad and Mom had told me so much about. &nbsp;They were not two I would consider my favorites of his, but none the less, very good pieces of artwork. A trio of french boys asked the curator for "Vech-Meech" (key: pronounce very french-ly) and I smiled to myself; both at the accent and that others wanted to see the same paintings I had wanted to see.<br />after this it was home again, home again on a very crowded train. <br />note: I have no idea how to turn these photographs right-side-up so please bear with me.mindrunningwildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16601825523419720357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6616850142613447024.post-51500897273515218112010-07-07T07:23:00.000-07:002010-07-07T07:23:17.242-07:00a stroll next to the Thames?SundaySundaySunday<br />today was sunday. The 4th of July. Somehow, I always manage to spend my holidays out of the country. First Thanksgiving, then Easter, and now Forth of July. Not that it matters, of course, I'd always rather be traveling. Unless it involves family of course, then I'd like to stay. What did we do today, you may ask? We went on a lonnnnng walk up the Thames to a town calledTo the town of Wythem today. Perhaps it’s spelled “Wytham” I actually don’t know at this moment. Our walk was simply lovely. We walked up the Thames to the town and then back. No, it was not that simple and there was plenty to see. About a meter beyond the train station the path split off into the bushes next to the Thames. Everything here seems to be in the bushes, I’m surprised everyone knows where they are going, signs are often quite obscured by overgrown vines and large flowers with winding stems, as these were. We wandered along this path and I could feel the ticks reaching towards my bare lower legs with their sticking legs, getting ready to take up temporary residence in my pale skin. We had not been walking long when I felt compelled to whip out my camera and take photographs. Everything here seems to be in bloom! Perhaps flowers prefer cool weather such as this and that is why flowers in the US are not so vibrant and overgrown as they are here. These flowers grew into the path, their petals brushing against my arm as I walked past, as if taunting me to stop to smell them, holding up our line of intrepid travelers. I also have the idea that, unlike Northampton, pedestrians are not in the right of way here. A person on their own two feet should be ready at any moment to be side swiped by a bicycle or a double-decker bus careening around the corner or the cobbled streets. Bikes do not slow down and paths such as the one we walked are not meant for walkers alone. It did not take me long for this to all become clear, of course, after I had nearly been run down by some bikers early in the walk. To our right was the Thames and to our left were shrubs upon shrubs and vines upon vines. I wish I were an adequate photographer because I cannot seem to do flowers justice when I photograph them. Alas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I could picture meandering this path, parasol in hand, with my suitor of the afternoon, in Jane Austen’s time. As we went over a bridge, much like the one featured in Monet’s garden, the Thames came to be on our right and stretched out across the fields beyond. Geese dotted the water and soon filled it. As we came to a clearing of trees by a beach, the geese seemed to get into formation, as if attempting to cover the entirety of the water’s surface with their gray-feathered bodies. They looked expectantly at us, as if waiting to have their picture taken. I was only too happy to oblige. Geese and plants were not the only features of our walk, oh no. Canal boats painted bright colors lined the sides and I could not help but imagining living in a boat like them and fishing for my meals….not that I eat fish. The boats painted the picture bright with their bold, blocky colors and I was tempted to become a painter in an instant to capture their picturesque qualities. Along the Thames rowed groups in rowboats and two white-bearded men in a small sailboat, hauling themselves in to shore. Their white beards were grown out just so, giving one the image of a typical fisherman, such as the one in Tintin. They even matched!<br /><!--StartFragment--> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">Wytham was not anything to look at, really. Thatched roofs thickly covered the houses that were surrounded by walls that contained-but just barely-vivid flower gardens and roses climbing on every vertical structure. Yes, I am certain that the lack of constant sun and beating heat causes flowers to thrive here. I have never seen anything so beautifully and messily alive in the US. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">I was exhausted when we returned and took to my bed at a rapid pace, to sleep until dinner, which was a BBQ on the back garden lawn. I can’t tell you how much I’ve been craving corn! Corn they did have, which was wonderful indeed. On the cob, however, is the only acceptable and delicious way to eat the vegetable, in my opinion. Oxford is simply beautiful, I cannot explain how it feels to be among the buildings that I looked at so many times on the internet in attempts to gain some sort of understanding of how I would feel when I got there. I am here now, I look out my window now and see the yellowed stone opposite me that belongs to the other half of our U-shaped building. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">Speaking of our building, how could it not remind anyone of Harry Potter? When we live on staircases, as they did, and our bathroom is located in a dungeon? Classes begin tomorrow, I am tentative about my History of the English Language class, as I did not think of taking it initially but was rather placed there, but I will certainly give it a try; the textbook has been interesting (albeit DENSE) thus far. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">OH! I forgot to mention that I joined the public library. Perhaps I did mention it, but the action merits mention a number of time over because it is the most wonderfully exhilarating fulfillment of a hope that I have had in a long time. What a friendly staff as well. Most people here tend to be friendly, actually. More to come, I plan to go tomorrow to take out a Jane Austen book. Just one, I don’t want to overdo it.&nbsp;</div><!--EndFragment-->mindrunningwildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16601825523419720357noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6616850142613447024.post-17258993281251544352010-07-06T10:38:00.001-07:002010-07-06T10:38:46.083-07:00The beginning!<!--StartFragment--> <br /><div class="MsoNormal">July 3<sup>rd</sup>, 2010<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Trinity College, Oxford University<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Here I am! Welcome to Oxford, city of everything-I’ve-ever-dreamed-of! And it truly is, everything I’ve ever dreamed of, with it’s old buildings that have history between each and every brick, to the cobblestones over which have crossed so many famous feet. Oxford is truly a place I can call home. When I look up, something that I find too few people actually do often enough, I see nothing but blue skies and turrets that stand out so bold against them. These turrets are carved in intricate designs and some even have gargoyles clinging to their edges! Each step I take, I am imagining myself during Elizabeth’s time or the time of Mary Tudor, wearing my beautiful gown and walking through the streets here on my way to a ball or a high tea. Yes, this is indeed the life I wish for myself and I see it as a plausible future for myself, expatriate that I already am. </div><div class="MsoNormal">The train ride here was oh so much more preferable than a bus ride, and I found that it was quite easy to maneuver, albeit quite expensive as well. Don’t roll your eyes, I know I’m cheap and life (especially experiences) costs money. Outside the windows passed flocks of sheep and cows, dotting the hillside as frequent as hedges, although, with their spots and dots, quite in contrast to the hedge’s green hue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>In my mind, I walked up narrow paths to the manors I was just barely able to glimpse on top of the livestock-covered hills. These were the manors of Austen, Bronte and others and I was just a pane of glass and a couple miles per hour away! Being in transit is something of a wonder, not knowing where you are going to end up and having been in a whirl to leave where you came from. It’s almost as if it is an alternate universe or life, nothing belongs to you and you are so completely displaced at each point between points A and B. </div><div class="MsoNormal">Oxford station came up and off I got, dragging my large suitcase (which is, in fact, smaller and one fewer than everyone else’s, as I suspected it would be and as it always is) off the train and attempted to find lunch. There hadn’t been any on the plane and not at Temple Meads either, so when I found Marks and Spencer I was quite happy because a) I was hungry and b) I have fond memories of M&amp;S from my last trip to the UK, when I went to see Katie in Edinburgh. I slipped into the small station-sized store and picked out some of their wonderfully cheap and delicious prepared foods. Maneuvering my large (but not too large) suitcase through the checkout line was a bit of a challenge, but I managed. There was, oddly enough, nowhere to sit outside the station so I towed my suitcase to a curb and sat down to eat my lunch. Everything here, even the prepared foods, is so fresh and I could feel the energy I needed seeping into my body. I was going to need it, because I had no idea how far away Trinity was from the train station, or even where it was, for that matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It turns out it isn’t that far away (perhaps a 20 minute walk?) but it seemed like forever uphill with this suitcase. I stopped ever couple meters to change would-be blistered hands. </div><div class="MsoNormal">Oxford is so lovely. Trinity is especially lovely, although I have not seen everything yet. My roommate was not here when I arrive but she had left me a note to choose a desk since she had chosen the bedroom. Luckily, she’d left me with the one I’d have chosen on my own. I went to set up my computer, ready to blog and low and behold, no internet. Well, after travelling and being exhausted, that just did it for me. I was so angry, I had no idea what to do. I’ll tell you what I did do though, I put away my clothes and unpacked everything. My room has cute drawers that are built into the wall underneath my window (of windows I have two) which looks out onto the Durham quad, between the chapel clock tower and my staircase, staircase 17. We truly do live on staircases, as you go up, there are about two rooms on each landing. Most of the rooms here, I gather, are singles but mine is a double with a common room. Our toilet…er….loo and showers are located in what we fondly refer to as, The Chamber Of Secrets because of it’s dungeon-esque qualities. My room does, however, have a sink. I haven’t been here a day and I’ve already gone up to my room only to realize that I need to use the loo. Good for my youth!</div><div class="MsoNormal">We’re off to a pub now, everyone’s arrived but I haven’t really met anyone. We’re to assemble at the porters lodge in about ten minutes to leave. I’m a bit nervous, because I haven’t met everyone but I suppose everyone else might be too, unless they all know each other already, having flown in together to Heathrow? I’m glad they thought of this activity though and it will get me off on a good be-social foot. Pictures of everything to follow!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><!--EndFragment-->mindrunningwildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16601825523419720357noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6616850142613447024.post-21247256429809325652010-07-06T10:33:00.001-07:002010-07-06T10:33:50.762-07:00in transit, or almost....cheerio!<!--StartFragment--> <br /><div class="MsoNormal">July 2<sup>nd</sup>, 2010<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Newark Airport</div><div class="MsoNormal">So here I sit. I cannot actually connect to the internet, so I am writing this on Microsoft word. Although I have nearly a five hour layover, I know I will not be board because I am in a public place. People watching is such an accessible activity, especially at an airport like Newark that flies people hither, thither and yon every second. But let’s begin at the beginning (a very good place to start).</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>My goodbyes were short and I spent more time waving at my family than hugging them. I’m so darned sentimental though and as my plane pulled away from the gate, I wiped tears from my eyes, as usual. Silly, I know, to be so sad to leave the people you love most for six weeks. I have traveled so many times before and although I am always on my way to somewhere different, the feelings are the same. Anxiety, nerves, excitement, sadness, the brief moments of wet eyes before I realize how silly I’m being and turn my face to the air conditioning above my seat to dry my tears. I flew one of those small airplanes, the express jets, which have the seating configuration of 1 and 2. These planes are wonderful for those who love turbulence, because you can feel every slight bump like a residual lump in not-quite-mashed potatoes. I slept for the entire 31 minute flight; the pilot seemed to like to fly sideways…..so I kept my eyes closed. I deplaned in Newark and lugged myself and my two bags through the terminal to the wing where my plane takes off. I am glad that I don’t have to carry more bags, especially my suitcase, which somehow weighs 40lbs! This is unexpected for the girl who can go to Europe for 3 weeks with a 19 lb suitcase. Although, I suppose if you multiply 19 lbs and 2 weeks by two, than you get 40 lbs and six weeks, so I’m not doing too badly. I do not yet have a gate because my flight does not leave until nearly nine. For now, I people-watch. OH! There is my favorite PSA: “This is a special announcement, for security reasons, unattended baggage will be removed immediately for inspection and may be damaged or destroyed.” How caring.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Let’s see…who has passed thus far….</div><div class="MsoNormal">A family with a little boy running at the front, on his head was a costume hat from an Asian airline. The boy had obviously been given the hat, which sported a long black braid down the back and stood out against his blond hair, on the flight. The striking thing about the family, was that they had obviously all flown to Asia to adopt a baby girl, who was being perambulated by her mother through the airport in a stroller, looking wide-eyed at everything. Apparently, I am more sentimental than I have ever thought, because this too brought tears to my eyes at the remembrance of my own trip of this nature. </div><div class="MsoNormal">A man entirely in purple just passed (obviously European because only European men are comfortable with themselves enough to wear that sort of thing), two women with cute green shoes, two male flight attendants who are talking about marriage: “Never been married?” “Nope, never been married,” a girl in a completely….bright peach tracksuit, two groups of teens from the same tour group, one male and one female. I could not read their shirts, no matter how hard I tried not to stare at them. Multiple women in cute skirts with adorable shoes, one women in cheetah-print stilettos. Now, why would you wear high heels on an airplane fight? Sounds terrible to me. On the other side of that coin was the girl dressed in her pajamas. I wouldn’t wear that either. There is a girl opposite me who is doing as much inconspicuous (or not) people-watching as I am, and is obviously writing it in her journal, or making some sort of note of it, as I am. I have a feeling we would make good friends. Perhaps she is writing of me, just as I am writing of her. I have a fondness for the European men who wear capris. Man-pris, they are also called. I love that they know it’s okay and wish this style would come to the US. Although perhaps not because then it wouldn’t be so wonderful anymore and rather normal. </div><div class="MsoNormal">The family sitting next to me on the “for anyone benches” is German, although I am not sitting close enough to hear what they are saying. </div><div class="MsoNormal">I feel alone. And hot. Mom and Dad sent me a wonderful picture on my cell phone of them smiling. It made me so happy and I intend to save it to my computer so I can look at it often when six weeks seems too long. Six weeks will not, however, seem too long, because I am going to have a wonderful time. I can just hear the streets of England, lined with thatched houses and the moors of Scotland calling me. They speak in hushed tones and dance around my head, taunting me to come faster. If only I could. This day did sneak up on me, it was here before I knew it. I scarcely know how I got to this very spot in time, it seems such a blur. My head aches and I can’t help but wonder what I did to be so tired and ill-feeling except pack (this morning!) and bid goodbye to my family. The last image in my mind is of my family waving to me from the observation tower as I walked across the boarding strip to my plane. I turned my face to the wind although I could see their arms, pale in contrast to the tinted windows, waving rapidly back and forth. I sound like I’m writing a terrible goodbye novel, but I do love my family beyond all else and no matter how much fun I have when I’m away and how many times I’ve travelled, I feel a piece of my heart stay with them. But the German boy who has decided to sit quite close to me and squeak brings me back to the present; a noise that would have bothered me if emitted by my siblings but is strangely ignorable from him. That, and another pair of cute green hiking shoes. It is almost as if the shoes themselves are parading past me at blocked out intervals to attract my attention to the present moment. </div><div class="MsoNormal">I look at all the passing people, in hopes that I will recognize some of them or even one of them and make a contact before they all fly out to Heathrow. I am hoping that I am able to manage my suitcase, although I am sure I will find, as I always do, that it is smaller than the other suitcases in it’s cohort. </div><div class="MsoNormal">Flight attendants in mono-chromatic uniforms with perfect hair-ever the mystery, girls in shorts that may as well be underwear, families with unruly children, groups of young teenagers, young men travelling alone or in pairs, foreign families, several German families, many striped shirts, designer bags and silly designer shoes, an English family that reminds me why I am sitting here in the first place. I do often get lost in my thoughts. I need a drink but I am reluctant to walk through this airport trying to find one that may very well be priced at the dear amount of $4.00. They love to give drinks on the airplane, as if their sadistic little minds love seeing the person in the window-seat get up to use the lavatory 10 times during the flight, easily disrupting his seatmates in the process. Another pair of cute green hiking shoes and a chocolate bar. More cute hiking shoes, not green, but comfortable-looking nevertheless. Large hiking backpacks pass on the backs of three young adults, out to find themselves or perhaps returning to tell others what they’ve found. </div><div class="MsoNormal">How DO you get to ride one of those airport taxis?</div><!--EndFragment-->mindrunningwildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16601825523419720357noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6616850142613447024.post-83018118348238944472010-04-10T04:29:00.000-07:002010-04-10T04:29:53.713-07:00the last dayYou may ask yourself why, if you even followed me this far, I have only written about the first and last days.<br />Those of you who have traveled, especially on a program or for business, know that days are jam packed with activities and things to do. I often didn't get back from the activities until 11pm whereupon I would have to share the internet with my 4 other roommates. I'm not complaining, simply explaining my absence. I intend to update you all on everything upon my return to the states. Promise. It will be good for me to relive it and make it more vibrant. Maybe it will be more vivid after it's had a chance to sit and stew a bit, and it will come out being more poetic as opposed to simply a recounting of the day's events. The truth is, I do actually really enjoy blogging.<br /><br />so here I am in the lobby of my second hotel. I'll first explain how I got to be in a different hotel than I was in initially so you don't think I did something terrible or illegal and got myself kicked out of the other one. Also, for the record, I should be sleeping right now. But enough about that.<br />So I'm in a new hotel because one girl we six from Smith are traveling with has an uncle who owns a hotel here. We are staying for free but it was only one night. Tonight at midnight we fly home. What a terrible time to leave midnight. I feel as if my hands are moving in slow motion because I am slowly falling asleep. This week I have been getting less and less sleep. I went to a wedding last night, invited by my friend Doni (who you will meet when I get home and have the time and energy to put together words that do her justice) and we were out until 3am. A bit late for me. Upon returning to the hotel, I thougght I had lost my contact lens case and I looked EVERYWHERE. it was nowhere to be found. Little did I know that it was in the bathroom. Okay, fine, but please tell me whether you want to go to a wedding and come back at 3am to find that you can't go to bed because you've no place to put your contact lens.<br />I swear (or Walla! in Arabic), someone is putting heavy weights on my eyelids, for they keep threatening to close and force me to rely on my fingers to type words that I am unsure will be comprehensible. <br />I'm actually going to sign off here. I planned to actually write something but at the moment I am simply too tired. I fear that what I wrote for you would be a bunch of nonsense. I admit, that would be funny, however, I would like to remember as it happened.<br />goodnight. seriously. at 3:00pm.mindrunningwildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16601825523419720357noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6616850142613447024.post-75812106994865209702010-04-05T13:49:00.000-07:002010-04-05T13:49:40.891-07:00day two!Hello there,<br /><br />internet is more difficult to come by than I had initially thought it would be. I had to wait five minutes for this page to load, no joke. It's longer for some others. But enough of that, here I am now!!<br />****a word about the posting of photos on this website. I cannot post photos of the DWC girls because they do not want their images on the internet (understandable) and so I won't post as many wonderful pictures but you can come ask me for them if you would like to see some of the wonderful women I spend my week with!<br />Today was another day full of beautiful weather! I know I didn't finsih telling about yesterday but I will get to that when I have time. I'm keeping a journal but these things take up time I really don't seem to have. We're pretty scheduled here. I'm sure you all were expecting something a bit more stimulating and well written; well to tell you the truth, so was I. I have no idea how I could have ever thought that I would end up with enough time to write such a blog but it was a nice thought. Perhaps there is still a chance for redemption.<br /><br />Today we learned about the Islamic courts and law, especially pertaining to child custody. I had no idea prior to hearing this lecture, that men and women had many equal rights and allowances in Islam. There are many laws which out-rightly lay out the fact that women have agency. Such things are never spoken about in "typical western culture" and I think having it stated as it is with Islam forms a mutual understanding of men and women as equals in many respects. This is, of course, broken in countries where Muslim woman's rights are undermined. We were taught today that men in Afghanistan who force their daughters to to marry against their will or desires will answer to Allah at the end of their lives. I thought it was a beautiful thing to recognize the girl's right to get approve or reject the husband even if the parents are doing the selecting.&nbsp; We acted out a simulation of a child custody case in the Islamic court after this lecture. It was quite interesting because it deteriorated quickly. I played lawyer, which is mostly likely the closest I will ever get to being one. Children of lawyers don't usually become lawyers themselves, I've heard. It was an interesting exercise because it made us girls think critically about the law and what we had learned from the speaker. <br />gosh. days here seem so long.<br />I should be so much more elaborate about this because if I had time, it would be flowery and full of emotion and imagery. But it's not, the internet is wonky (to use Groove's favorite word) and I'm tired after long days. It may be only 4:41 to you all right now, but add 8 hours to that and you've got me sitting in the lobby with drooping eyelids.<br />We took our first fieldtrip in the afternoon! I'm so surprised about the weather here, I should mention, because it isn't oppressive and hot like I had expected, but rather warm and humid and is quite pleasant with a breezy breeze. I find myself quite comfortable which is a relief because the concept of weather had been causing me a great amount of anxiety before I came. Heritage Village was our first stop. I brought this laptop with me to the college today so I had to bring it on the bus. Unfortunately, I spilled a bit of my tea inside the bag from inside the thermos but luckily not much was wet. Later, when I returned to the bus, I would learn that because I was stupid and put the teacup back into my bad (?!), it had leaked again and made everything wet. including my laptop. in it's case. luckily, it still works great! I'm one lucky chick. note to self and of course to the general public; don't put tea thermoses in a bad with important possessions, it's airtight twist-on lid could leak tea ALL over your bag and all of the things you love. Nope, I'm not annoyed at this ocurrence at all.This village was <br />hold on. I've got to end. I need to help with a seizure.mindrunningwildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16601825523419720357noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6616850142613447024.post-22485247104085909252010-04-04T11:29:00.001-07:002010-04-04T11:29:37.998-07:00a beginning- at long last!Well here I am. In the UAE. who'd have ever thought that I'd find myself in the middle east so soon?<br />&nbsp;It was 1am when I finally arrived at the hotel, but oddly enough, I couldn't sleep. After having been in first the US, then Vienna and now Dubai, I felt as though someone had come and bent the hands of my internal clock all out of joint. No matter where I do, I can always wake up early, but then I just accumulate tiredness and loose sleep.Definitely not a positive correlation there. Somehow, however, I've been blessed with wireless internet. Although I am not able to use it in my room, I am now able to use it in the lobby without having to worry that it's going to cut out on me.<br />I need to tell you all about everything, but lets just begin from when I entered Dubai. I will leave the Vienna part off for now because that's another story completely and I want to get this while it's still fresh in my mind.<br />Let me just say something about the Dubai airport. It looks like a dance club or something out of a film or better yet, a giant resort. The entire city is as if it were a giant resort and I suppose in many ways, it does have resort characteristics. There is though, as with most places, a history that I hope to learn tomorrow.<br />If you ever have the chance, please fly Emirates Airlines! Even if you aren't the super lavishly rich person in the airplane seat that has it's own compartment, you are still guaranteed a very comfortable flight. All stages of my life were completed by this ride; the ceiling lit up with LED constellations like my ceiling at home, I could make my own playlist (yes, I did indeed spend about 4 hours doing that...) and the seats were comfortable (satisfying my old woman elements). Overall, I'm a fan. Also, they have lovely lotion in the bathrooms.<br /><br />As we stepped off the airplane onto the airstrip (where we caught a bus to the terminal), I was surrounded with air that was not humid and oppressive as I had originally imagined I would be, but rather, the sort of warm that only tingles your nose and causes you to think of Spring. Being tired, I was not so inclined towards good posture and slumped my way all the way to baggage claim. My initial thoughts of the airport were something to the affect of "where the heck am I?!" As we rode the tall escalator down, the main part of the arrivals hall rose in front of me like the Christmas tree in The Nutcracker. First came the pillers of silver; as big as redwoods around and as shiny as you imagine, reflecting in panels. The second pillers beyond the passport&nbsp; checking point are ivory with flecks of sparkles. I would not object to having a sandbox made with that sparkly stone.<br /><br />I need to go to sleep now. I will finish this tomorrow. Don't go longing for me now.mindrunningwildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16601825523419720357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6616850142613447024.post-71607160599760746752010-03-31T16:32:00.000-07:002010-03-31T16:32:06.186-07:00Filling my suitcaseWell then. I suppose I should begin, now that I have been giving out the address to this blog everywhere. People will be bitterly disappointed if they come here to find a wonderful picture of a suitcase, an earthy brown background and.....nothing else. So yes, now I am going to write things and more things. This is the beginning of an Eleven day trip.<br />I suppose I should outline some of what I'm doing. I was selected to represent Smith at the Insight Dubai conference in Dubai, UAE. For those of you who may not know where that is, or think it sounds like a large mall where you Do-Buy things, it's smack dab in the middle of the Middle East, between Qatar and Saudi Arabia and opposite Iraq and Iran. Dubai is a very metropolitan city but I won't presume much about it now because honestly, I have no idea what it's going to be like! Follow me on this blog and I hope to be able to tell you all about Dubai and much more. Find out what I'm going to be learning, what I'm going to discuss and what I'm going to see here -----&gt;<a href="http://dwc.hct.ac.ae/insight-dubai/home.html">http://dwc.hct.ac.ae/insight-dubai/home.html</a><br />Do I feel nervous? Well, I suppose a bit. Flying always makes me feel both nervous and excited. When the airplane takes off, my stomach does flip-flops like pancakes and my heart jumps in my chest (and I guess it s<i>oars like an eagle</i> as well, for those of you who get this reference). Being in the airport makes me feel limitless, like I can do anything and now that I'm going to the Middle East (!), I know that I really can! This is just the beginning of my travels; I am going to live the world and be a truly global citizen.<br />This posting is just the beginning, so it may not be as good as I hope it will be eventually. I'm thinking in so many directions right now that my thoughts are scattered and can't really articulate what I'm thinking. I just don't know what to expect, really. I'm just packing. I've packed lots of light, blowzy clothing that is also appropriate for a conservative muslim country. Tunics, capris, etc. I'm hoping that I won't burn, as it promises to be upwards of 85F the entire time! I'm not a fan of heat, but every building is supposed to be air conditioned so I'm going to be fine. Besides which, if I want to spend any time in the middle east (which I do) in the future, I am going to have to learn to deal with it.<br />This is signing off for now. I have to finish packing to make sure I don't forget anything. I really hope I have everything I need and that I need everything I have. Here's to hoping!<br />I look forward to sharing my next eleven days with you all and I hope you enjoy reading. PLEASE feel free to comment on any posting or photo and ASK QUESTIONS if you have them!<br />Happy reading<br />ready....<br />&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;set......<br />&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; GO!mindrunningwildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16601825523419720357noreply@blogger.com4